A group of bodaboda riders in Kenya has disclosed that they are being paid Ksh 1,000 daily to accompany President William Ruto during his public engagements, shedding light on an unusual mobilization effort tied to the president’s activities.
The revelation, which surfaced on Thursday, has sparked debate about the use of public funds and the role of the Bodaboda operators in political optics.
The riders, speaking on condition of anonymity, claimed that local leaders and organizers have been recruiting them to form part of the president’s entourage, particularly during his tours across various counties.
“We’re told to follow him wherever he goes for the day, and we get Ksh 1,000 each,” one rider said, adding that the payments are disbursed at the end of each assignment.
The initiative reportedly involves dozens of riders from different areas including Nairobi, with some suggesting the number could swell depending on the scale of the event.
While the exact source of the funds remains unclear, speculation has mounted that the payments could be linked to political allies of President Ruto or campaign-related efforts.
The disclosure comes amid Ruto’s ongoing push to connect with grassroots communities, a strategy that has frequently seen him flanked by bodaboda riders—a key demographic he has championed since his 2022 election campaign.
The bodaboda sector, which employs over a million Kenyans and generates significant daily revenue, has long been a focal point for political engagement.
President Ruto has previously positioned himself as an advocate for the riders, launching initiatives like the electric boda boda program to ease their financial burdens.
However, this latest development has raised questions about whether such payments represent a genuine livelihood boost or a calculated move to bolster his public image.
Opposition voices have seized on the claims, with some calling for transparency. “If this is taxpayer money, Kenyans deserve to know,” said a vocal critic on social media, reflecting a broader sentiment trending online.
Others, however, see it as a pragmatic way to engage a vital economic group, with one supporter noting, “They should earn something rather than nothing.”
For the bodaboda riders, the daily Ksh 1,000 offers a welcome supplement to their earnings, though many say they are still awaiting clarity on how long the arrangement will last.
Hapa They are Waiting pic.twitter.com/LJt3K6xAHq
— CITY DIGEST. (@city_digest) April 3, 2025
