Concern is growing among residents of Mutithi in Mwea, Kirinyaga County, following a rise in motorcycle theft, with five bikes reported stolen in the area over the past month.
The latest incident involved Pastor John Munene of Kenya Revival Centre in Mutithi, whose motorcycle was stolen while he attended a burial in Rurii village.
Pastor Munene had parked his motorcycle at Rurii Rice Farm Village Unit 7 before entering the burial site to help lay soil on the grave of an elderly resident. About 20 minutes later, he returned to find the motorcycle gone, leaving him with only the keys.
The theft has left residents shocked, particularly because Munene is widely known in the area and had apparently been followed to the burial site. “How could thieves follow a pastor until he parked his motorcycle and steal it? This motorcycle gang must be tracked down and brought to justice,” said resident Joshua Maina.
Maina said residents had hoped the thefts would stop after a suspected motorcycle thief from Kirwarwa was killed earlier in the week. The suspect was allegedly caught after stealing a motorcycle in Mutithi and was pursued for about four kilometres before being apprehended near Piai. He was later taken to the rice farms in Ndurumo Kenda, where he was killed by members of the public.
Another motorcycle was reportedly recovered from his village in Kirwarwa. However, the incidents have continued. On Friday, another motorcycle belonging to Daniel Waweru, the chairman of White Rose Boda Boda operators in Mutithi, was stolen at the gate of his home in Rurii Unit 7.
The two incidents have heightened anxiety among motorcycle owners and boda boda operators in the area, with residents claiming that thieves are becoming increasingly brazen. There are also reports that motorcycles are being targeted near local schools, with some residents alleging that thieves lure or take bikes while teachers are in class.
Pastor Munene said the loss of his motorcycle had left him wondering how he would travel to church for his duties. “The chairman of White Rose is my neighbour and his motorcycle was also stolen. The two of us now have no motorcycles,” he said.
Waweru said he had believed the motorcycle thefts would subside following the death of the suspected thief. “Where are these motorcycles taken? They stole mine and I am still searching for it. I am a chairman without a motorcycle. Where on earth does this happen?” he asked.
Residents are now calling for intensified security patrols and investigations to identify the network behind the thefts and recover the stolen motorcycles. The latest incidents have renewed concerns over motorcycle theft in the area, with residents urging police and security agencies to move swiftly before more boda boda operators and motorcycle owners fall victim.
