Boda Boda Riders Angry After Being Kept Waiting To Pave Way For William Ruto's Convoy

• The boda bodas were disgruntled after police officers stopped them to pave the way for the presidential convoy
• They were stunned that President William Ruto's convoy had numerous fuel guzzlers fuelled by the taxpayers' money
• The president has been under fire from a section of Kenyans over misappropriation of funds and massive expenditure on foreign trips

Michael Ollinga is a journalist at TUKO.co.ke with over 10 years of experience covering courts and crimes, special reports, and current affairs in Kenya.

A section of boda boda operators in Nairobi could not hide their shock and disappointment over President William Ruto's long convoy of vehicles along Uhuru Highway.

William Ruto's convoy

In a recent video that has gone viral, a group of disgruntled riders, both operating as boda boda and delivery men, were heard questioning why a convoy of fuel guzzlers could escort the head of state at a time when the cost of living was not bearable among many Kenyans.

"Hii yote, na hii ni mafuta yetu, huyu jamaa surely. Hii yote aki. Hii hata inawezafanya ufungwe. Achana na yeye aende. (All these vehicles? And it is taxpayers who are paying for the fuel. This man, indeed, and all these cars! This long convoy can get you arrested. Let him go," voices of some of the riders can be heard in the video.

The riders along University Way and near Nairobi Central Police Station had been stopped from moving to pave the way for the convoy of the head of state.

Boda boda riders unhappy with Ruto's convoy

They were piled up for several minutes as the president's convoy snaked through Uhuru Highway towards the central business district.

The video stirred online criticism of the head of state and boda boda operators. The latter are perceived to have significantly supported Ruto's election.

Ruto rode on the hustler narrative to popularise his candidature in the 2022 General Election. The mention of boda bodas, mama mbogas, and hawkers was an essential ingredient of his campaign speeches.

William Ruto's promise to boda boda riders

Gabriel Oguda, a vocal critic of Ruto's regime, was pleased by the video, arguing that the president's supporters had finally established the kind of leader that he was and turned their backs on him.

"Boda Boda and Mama Mboga have started being bold and calling your favourite God-chosen tourist names... The fear is gone, and the clouds are gathering," Oguda posted on X.

Other netizens laughed and did not sympathise with the riders, saying that they were the ones who pushed for Ruto's leadership and should use the lessons they have learned wisely during the next elections.

The president has been on the spot over numerous foreign trips. On his defense, Ruto said he had cut his travel budget by over KSh 500 million.