Don’t be used for chaos, Omollo warns boda boda riders

Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo speaks during a meeting with boda boda riders in Homa Bay town/Robert Omollo

Principal Secretary for Interior and National Administration Raymond Omollo has urged boda boda riders to shun politicians who use them to cause violence.

Omollo argued that the rising cases of fracas in political rallies are associated with misuse of youths and boda boda riders by some political leaders.

The PS said due to the low economic status of many boda boda riders, some politicians take advantage of the motorcyclists to cause violence during political gatherings. He urged youths in the boda boda sector to ignore political leaders who want them to cause chaos during political gatherings.

“The administration of President William Ruto has a good empowerment agenda for boda boda riders.  That is why we're telling youths not to be hoodwinked by politicians with vested interests to cause violence during political gatherings," Omollo said.

Speaking on Sunday when he met the leadership of boda boda groups in Homa Bay town, the PS said the government is focused on the sector's growing role in socio-economic space. He emphasised the need to empower boda-boda operators as a key complementary pillar in the State's broader empowerment agenda.

Omollo said the government is undertaking sensitisation of boda boda riders against exploitation by people to perpetuate violence.

“I am going to talk to the President to organise a fundraiser to empower the bodaboda riders. Boda boda riders need to be supported due to the role it plays in the transport sector,” he said.

Some boda boda riders pledge to maintain peace during a meeting with Interior PS Raymond Omollo in Homa Bay town/Robert Omollo

“Bodaboda business is not the only work you can do for the rest of your lives. You need to apply for government jobs through various opportunities advertised,” Omollo added.

Omollo called for respect between ODM and UDA leaders in the Nyanza region, adding that they should work in harmony in a broad-based government. There is a silent war between ODM leaders aligned to the Linda Ground faction and UDA leaders in the Nyanza region over their pre-election coalition agreement.

The ODM leaders are pushing Ruto to allow zoning in the ODM strongholds, something that UDA leaders do not want. UDA politicians feel that the idea is malicious because it will lock them out of vying for seats in the region. The PS argued that their agenda as leaders from the Nyanza region should be how to mobilise residents to register and vote for Ruto for a second time. He wants leaders to stop unnecessary fights and bickering.

"There is a need for ODM and UDA leaders in Nyanza to respect one another. Squabbles we're witnessing are not healthy for the partnership between UDA and ODM," he said.

In the company of ODM legislators Martin Owino (Ndhiwa), Felix Oduor (Lang'ata) and Joyce Osogo (Homa Bay), Omollo told members of the two parties to take to instructions from their top leaders in the broad-based arrangement. Also present was former Homa County Secretary Isaiah Ogwe.

Omollo said President Ruto and ODM leader Oburu Oginga work harmoniously, and they should be emulated by their supporters.

“Let us all take instructions from our two leaders to avoid causing issues,” he said.

The push for zoning occurs when UDA is busy strengthening its systems in the region. This is signified by the UDA grassroots elections undertaken in the region.

Homa Bay County UDA chairman Kennedy Obuya says they do not want zoning on grounds that it will create voter apathy. Obuya says there is a need for fair competition between ODM and UDA candidates in the next general election.

“Zoning creates the impression that a political party belongs to a given community or region. We need fair competition between ODM and UDA parties in Nyanza,” Obuya says.