Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has warned boda boda riders in the county against being used to incite tribal politics or violence, urging them to instead embrace unity and shun any criminal activity as the country heads into the electioneering period.
Speaking during an empowerment engagement with boda boda operators in Mombasa, the Governor acknowledged the sector’s contribution to the local economy, saying it was built on hard work and sacrifice.
“The sector of boda boda is born out of sweat and it is born out of hard work,” he said, adding that no one had ever been able to take that away from the riders.
He noted that the sector draws riders from diverse ethnic communities and should not be divided along tribal lines.
“Look at those who have been employed here, they are people of different tribes. I have heard a Kamba name, I have heard a Taita name, I have heard a Luhya name, all here,” he said.
He added that riders do not question the tribal background of the passengers they carry daily, and called on them to reject tribal politics altogether.
“Even those you carry every day, you do not ask them what tribe they are. When you carry someone, you do not ask them what tribe they belong to or where they come from. Let us abandon tribal politics in this Kenya,” the Governor said.
Nassir further cautioned riders against allowing themselves to be used as tools of political violence.
“Never allow yourselves to be used to bring crime into the county. This is my advice to all boda boda riders in the country. We need to shun violence,” he said.
On enforcement, the Governor said his administration would review traffic and other minor offences committed by riders in county custody, distinguishing between criminal conduct and lesser infractions that could be resolved through counselling rather than punishment.
He also announced plans to roll out training for riders, including first aid, alongside a revolving fund and partnerships with financial institutions to help riders’ access motorcycles without exploitative lending terms, which he said would run in phases starting with an initial group of about 1,300 riders.
By Joan Kinuthia
