A bodaboda rider has been shot dead by suspected thugs who escaped with his newly acquired motorcycle in the early hours of Sunday morning near the BP area, close to the SGR in Kibwezi, Makueni County. 

The incident occurred on September 13, 2026 at around 5 a.m., with the victim identified as Ismail Hassan.

According to Asumani Ali, a trader at BP, and Dennis Muthoka, the Kibwezi Sub-County Bodaboda Chairperson, Hassan is believed to have picked up the suspects at the BP stage after they posed as customers. 

The suspects allegedly turned on him just a few metres from the stage, produced a gun and shot him several times before fleeing with his motorcycle.

The incident comes less than a month after another bodaboda rider operating from the same stage reportedly survived a similar attack. 

The rider is still hospitalized in critical condition after suspected thugs allegedly attacked him and left him for dead before stealing his motorcycle. He is also said to have picked up the attackers from the BP stage at night.

The latest killing has sparked renewed concerns among bodaboda operators over what they describe as increasing insecurity and alleged police laxity in Kibwezi. 

Riders say motorcycle-related attacks have become a serious threat, particularly for those operating at night.

According to bodaboda operators, about five riders were killed in similar incidents in Kibwezi, Emali and Makindu last year, with their motorcycles stolen. 

The riders are now calling for increased police patrols, surveillance around bodaboda stages and urgent action to curb what they describe as a growing threat to their lives and livelihoods.