President William Ruto has strongly refuted claims that his government has abandoned Bodaboda riders and Mama Mboga – a group he has consistently called the pillars of his bottom-up economic program.
Addressing a meeting with national Bodaboda leaders at State House yesterday, Ruto reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing the welfare of ordinary Kenyans at the grassroots level.
“There are many people criticizing me, saying I have forgotten Bodaboda riders and Mama Mboga in our plan,” Ruto said in Swahili.
“But I want to respond clearly today. Every government policy that this administration has rolled out has been informed by the bottom-up philosophy, first taking into account the people at the bottom of the pyramid.”
Ruto emphasized that he has always championed the interests of the Bodaboda fraternity, recalling how he brought boda Bodaboda operators and Mama Mbogas into the national spotlight during the last general election.
“In the last election, I elevated Bodaboda riders until they became central to the election agenda,” he said.
“There were two groups at the center of it all, Bodaboda and Mama Mboga. Who else, if not me, introduced them into the national conversation?”
The President assured riders that his government remains fully committed to safeguarding their livelihoods.
In a move likely to excite many in the sector, Ruto hinted at plans to reduce the cost of motorbikes to make them more affordable for Bodaboda riders, further easing the cost of doing business and empowering more youth to venture into the trade.
“That is why today, no one can threaten the businesses of Bodaboda riders,” he said.
Ruto added that his administration aims to build a country where every Kenyan – from small-scale traders to large investors – plays an active role in nation-building. He emphasized the need for inclusivity across all economic levels.
“We want a Kenya where everyone contributes and is included, starting with those at the bottom and moving upward,” he said.
