Boda Boda Riders Sue Govt Over Alleged Betrayal Resulting In Psychological Trauma

• A section of boda boda operators from Malindi filed a petition with the court demanding Kenya Kwanza stop the use of boda boda and mama mboga terms
• The riders disclosed depreciation in their income of about KSh 426 billion due to the constant use of the terms by William Ruto's government
• Additionally, they stated that the assertion that they are in the government is untrue and has heightened hostility between them and Kenyans unsatisfied with the government

Nancy Odindo, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya.

Malindi - A section of boda boda operators have taken legal action against President William Ruto's government, claiming that the administration's use of the boda boda and mama mboga slogans during the 2022 campaigns subjected them to psychological torment.

According to the riders, the government's assertion that small-scale businesses are aligned with the regime has led to a decrease in their income, as they face heightened hostility from Kenyans expressing dissatisfaction with the current administration.

“Additionally, the utterances of the Members of the 1st Respondent political party that the current executive arm of the government of Kenya is composed of the boda boda and mama mboga women subject the persons engaged in boda boda and mama mboga business to psychological trauma owing to the reduction in their source of income and hostility of the people of Kenya who are dissatisfied with the government’s inability to bring down the cost of living,” the petition reads.

In a report by Citizen Digital, boda boda operators expressed dissatisfaction with the Kenya Kwanza government's failure to deliver on promises to empower small-scale businesses.

Stop using boda boda and mama mboga slogan

The riders accuse the government of spreading a misleading narrative that suggests the current political restraints primarily consist of boda boda and mama mboga women, a claim they vehemently deny.

Additionally, the operators highlight a substantial 32% loss, equivalent to KSh 426 billion, in sector earnings due to the ongoing use of certain terms by the government.

In response, the sector pleaded with the government to refrain from using these terms, asserting their rights and fundamental freedoms are at stake.

Boda boda riders angry after being stopped by Ruto's convoy

In December 2023, a group of boda boda operators plying the Uhuru Highway could not hide their anger after they were kept waiting for the president's convoy to pass.

"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.