By Mercy Buyanzi
Boda Boda riders staged demonstrations in Kitale town to complain about what they termed as harassment by asset financing companies that use forceful ways to claim pending loan repayments for motorcycles.
The riders began their procession at Laini moja towards the town’s central business district where they were intercepted by anti-riot police officers who lobbed teargas canisters at them which made them disperse.
The group later regrouped around the county commissioner’s office where they addressed a press conference calling on the area county government to reign in on the said companies to avoid alleged exploitation.
“Several of our members who took motorcycles from the companies on credit are going through times since they are always harassed whenever they default on payment which is a violation of the contract they signed,” said Mr Duncan Kolombo.
They also accused the companies of using police officers to confiscate their motorbikes upon which they are required to pay for charges of towing the machines which is not part of the measures stipulated in their agreements.
“Delaying to repay a loan is not a crime that should attract hooliganism on the part of the client. This is uncivil and uncalled for since there are diplomatic ways of resolving such disputes,” said Mr Harrison Nyongesa Boda Boda rider.
Most of the assets financing companies allow the Boda Boda clients to own motorcycles after paying a specified deposit amount upon which the balance is paid on a daily or weekly basis at an interest for a period of one year.
Officials of the companies refused to comment on the matter saying they have no authority from their main offices in Nairobi to speak on behalf of the firms. The Legal contracts by each client are however binding.
