Police Step In as Kenema Bike Riders Resolve Ticket Fee Dispute

Tension in Kenema City was peacefully resolved on Wednesday, 7 January 2026, following timely intervention by the Sierra Leone Police, which led to a successful mediation between aggrieved motorbike riders and the executive members of the Bike Riders Union (BRU) in Kenema District.

The engagement took place at the District Office of the Bike Riders Union in Kenema and was facilitated by the Local Unit Commander (LUC) of the Kenema Police Division, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Emmanuel Kpulun, as part of proactive efforts to maintain public order and promote dialogue.

The mediation followed an incident on Monday, 6 January 2026, when a group of bike riders reportedly prepared to take to the streets to express dissatisfaction over what they described as a unilateral decision by the union executive to increase the union ticket fee from Le 2 to Le 5, without prior consultation with the general membership.

Speaking during the mediation, Alfred Mohamed Lavalie, on behalf of the aggrieved riders, said their action was not directed against the union as an institution, but against the process through which the fee increment was implemented. He cited concerns over what he described as single-handed decision-making by the executive, the continued payment of fines by members, and the perceived lack of tangible benefits accruing to ordinary riders.

Similar concerns were raised by Amos Jusu and Brima Lansana, who both called for greater transparency, inclusiveness, and improved welfare considerations in decisions that directly affect the livelihoods of union members.

Responding on behalf of the union executive, the Kenema District Chairman of the Bike Riders Union, Mr. Patrick Brima Mando, clarified that the increase in ticket fees was not exclusive to Kenema District but formed part of a nationwide adjustment affecting bike riders across the country.

Mr. Mando explained that the union executive has been working to address challenges faced by members, particularly those operating within various bike parks and who consistently contribute to the union. He added that the decision to adjust the ticket price was communicated through established executive structures at different levels, noting that the move was intended to strengthen the union’s capacity to manage members’ concerns and operational demands.

In her statement, the District Security Coordinator for Kenema District, Madam Josephine, admonished the aggrieved riders to prioritize peace and dialogue over confrontation, warning that unrest and protests could disrupt their daily activities and negatively affect their income. She assured the riders of the security sector’s support for peaceful engagement while cautioning that any breakdown of law and order could attract legal consequences.

Delivering closing remarks, CSP Emmanuel Kpulun commended both parties for their maturity and willingness to engage in constructive dialogue. He urged riders to continue cooperating with their elected leaders and reminded the union executive of the importance of accountability and effective communication, especially on decisions that directly impact members.

The Local Unit Commander reaffirmed the Sierra Leone Police’s commitment to community-centred policing and conflict resolution through dialogue rather than force.

The meeting ended on a cordial note, with both the riders and the union executive expressing renewed commitment to unity, peace, and progress in Kenema District.