A police officer shot and killed two boda boda riders in a shootout close to Makongeni Police Station in Thika Town on Sunday morning, leading to angry demonstrations by fellow riders.

It all began when the officer, who was driving his personal Audi, knocked down a rider and his passenger around the station vicinity. The police later reported the incident as non-injury.

The officer blamed the motorcyclist for having made a wrong move and, assuming that no one was hurt, attempted to drive away.

Other boda boda riders, angry with his decision to leave the scene, pursued him a short distance away and forced him to stop.

Witnesses said the situation escalated quickly as the officer reportedly felt threatened, assuming the group was out to harm him. He went on to exit his car with a firearm and killed two of the riders.

The riders who survived fled initially but regrouped in large numbers, pelting the officer with stones and other objects.

The officer abandoned his car, which the enraged crowd then set ablaze. By the time additional officers arrived, the Audi saloon car had burned to ashes.

Police officers later apprehended the officer and disarmed him, taking him into custody at Makongeni Police Station as investigations commenced.

Meanwhile, boda boda riders held demonstrations in Thika demanding justice for their fallen colleagues.

Kiambu County Police Commander Doris Mugambi also confirmed the investigation and urged the riders to remain calm and allow the law to take its course, warning against taking the law into their hands.