In a Kafkaesque turn of events, a motorcycle taxi operator, known locally as a boda boda rider, found himself facing the music after allegedly overstepping the bounds of acceptable conduct with a woman. A rather adventurous chapter in the life of 24-year-old Maxwell Kariuki Wanjohi unfolded when he was indicted for performing an indecorous act.
The woman, only identifiable as QA in court papers, accuses Wanjohi of uninvitedly getting too close for comfort in Kasarani on June 23. The allegations detail an awkward scene in which QA alleges she was pursued and subsequently groped by our boda boda operator turned suspect. As though the plot needed to thicken any further, it did.
But the high-spirited Wanjohi was not done earning his place in the annals of infamous deeds. In addition to the allegations of physical impropriety, the police have charged him with malicious damage to property – specifically, breaking windows. You read that right. Windows. Not exactly your typical fare for a boda boda rider.
According to the narrative laid out in court documents, after Wanjohi allegedly made his ill-advised advances, QA sprinted to her employer’s home. While she secured herself indoors and rang her employer, Wanjohi allegedly continued his rampage, proceeding to break the windows and theatrically wave at her to come out. One could be forgiven for confusing this with a badly scripted B-movie.
The dwelling’s owner was quick to call the police, and in the blink of an eye, the alleged window-breaking, boda boda riding Romeo was in cuffs.
Presented before Senior Principal Magistrate Gerald Mutiso of the Makadara Magistrate’s Court, Wanjohi pleaded not guilty to the charges. A bail set at a hefty Sh200,000 with a surety of the same amount secured his temporary freedom. The date for the case to get serious? 2nd of August.
The stage is set for a courtroom showdown, with the prosecution preparing three witnesses, including QA, her employer, and a police officer – all ready to testify against the motorcycle taxi operator.