A 28-year old motorcyclist was shot dead by his pillion passenger on Monday in Kutus town, Kirinyaga County.
Evans Chomba, the bodaboda rider, was amidst his workmates when the passenger approached him and asked to be ferried to Kianjiru market.
It was just a few minutes into the ride when the passenger asked him to stop, after which he shot him multiple times.
According to Daily Nation, the passenger searched Chomba for any valuables, took his motorbike and identity card before he fled.
Police have now raised alarm over the rising cases of attacks on Bodaboda riders, mostly by strangers that first pose as passengers.
Reports indicate that at least 72 boda boda operators were killed and 525 injured in the past year after they were attacked by unknown assailants. Some of them also lost motorcycles in the attacks.
The motorcycle is a popular mode of transport in Western Kenya, but according to police statistics, it has become a death trap for riders.
Western Regional Police Coordinator Julius Kitili says of the 72 deaths in the last 12 months, 25 were from Kakamega, 24 from Bungoma, Busia (12), and Vihiga (11).
Most of those killed are aged between 17 and 30 years, leaving behind many mourning parents, orphaned children and young windows.
According to Wycliffe Ambenje, the chairman of Julika Motorcycle Sacco in Kakamega town, most of the attacks occur between 7pm and 10pm, then between 4.30am and 6am.
Mr Ambenje says some of the dangerous spots where most of the attacks have been reported are Kefinco, Maraba, Lurambi, Milimani estate, Koromatangi, Joyland, outside Kakamega County Teaching and Referral Hospital mortuary and Rosterman.
Others are Luandeti, Lumakanda, Mumias town, Shinyalu, and Lubao. In Bungoma town, the attacks have been reported at Marrel, Siritanyi, Musikoma and Kabula.
Similar cases have been reported in Webuye town, Kimilili and Kapsokwony.
“Boda boda business is now dangerous. Youths pretend to be your client and direct you to lonely paths, where they kill you and steal your motorcycle. We even have criminals among the riders, who are also stealing from us,” says Mr Ambenje.
For the past one year, 20 riders registered under Julika Motorcycle Sacco have been killed and their motorcycles stolen.
Boda boda operators say the number of riders that never return after being hired by “clients” is on the rise. Most are found dead, their bodies always dumped on roadsides.
“A customer hired one of my riders at 1pm, but by 4pm he had not returned. 
We became suspicious. We tried calling him but his phone went unanswered. Two days later he was found dead in a thicket in Lubao,” said Peter Ochango, the Kakamega County boda boda operators’ chairman.
Boda boda operators confirm that ferrying passengers at night is turning out to be a fatal mistake for many riders.
“Some riders operate even beyond 12am. It is risky carrying three to four people you do not know on a lonely path. It is impossible to defend yourself when attacked,” said Antony Adika, 37, a motorbikes Sacco chairman.
Why is BodaBoda business turning dangerous?