Boda-boda Protests Erupt in Mwika After Driver's Death; Police Use Tear Gas

A boda-boda driver's death in Mwika, Moshi district, sparked violent protests and road blockades on June 12, 2026, disrupting travel between Rombo and Moshi for over three hours.

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I am at the scene of the incident, I cannot speak for now, I will speak later.

The unrest began around 10 p.m. following the death of the driver, who was reportedly being pursued by a vehicle suspected to be from the Rombo police. Initial reports suggest the driver was carrying khat (muringa), though this has not been officially confirmed by security forces.

In response to the incident, boda-boda riders and residents from the border areas of Moshi and Rombo districts gathered and blocked the main Rombo-Moshi road. This action caused considerable inconvenience for passengers traveling in and out of the two districts.

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It is true the road was closed due to the chaos that occurred, but it has now been opened and activities are ongoing. We have not yet determined the root cause of the matter because the investigation is still ongoing.

Police arrived at the scene and used tear gas to disperse the crowds and clear the road. The District Commissioner of Moshi, Godfrey Mnzava, arrived with the District Security and Defense Committee to restore order. Kilimanjaro Regional Police Commander Simon Maigwa confirmed that the road has since been reopened and transport services have resumed. He stated that investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident and ascertain the facts, promising that justice will be served regardless of who is involved.

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We have also heard what is being said about the reasons for the incident, but we will conduct an investigation to determine the reality, and that will bring all the facts to light. If we find that anything has been done against the law, we will follow the path of justice regardless of who is involved.