Learning and business activities in Garissa Town came to a standstill on Monday morning after hundreds of teachers and boda boda operators took to the streets to protest the killing of a 27-year-old teacher.
The deceased, a lecturer at Garissa Teachers College, was reportedly stabbed to death by three unknown assailants on Saturday, October 11, while running errands on his motorcycle.
According to witnesses, the attackers stopped the teacher before launching a violent assault that left him critically injured. He was rushed to Garissa County Referral Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Angry protesters accused security agencies in the region of laxity and failure to protect residents, lamenting that insecurity cases in the area have continued to rise unchecked.
“We are losing very young teachers and boda boda riders. This teacher was not even married and had no children, but he was hardworking. What we want is justice,” one protester said.
Residents claimed that incidents of attacks targeting boda boda riders and construction workers have become increasingly common, calling on authorities to take immediate action to restore security.
“We, as residents of Garissa, don’t have justice. Boda boda riders and other workers are still being attacked when using certain routes. If the county government cannot arrest these goons, they should tell us,” another rider lamented.
The demonstration, which brought operations in the town to a temporary halt, highlighted growing frustration over rising crime rates and alleged inaction by local security officials.
Police in Garissa have yet to issue an official statement on the incident or confirm whether any arrests have been made.
