Bodaboda Riders Clash at President Ruto’s Event over Leadership Disputes
On Monday, June 26, Bodaboda riders clashed at an event led by President William Ruto over leadership disputes within various associations.
The fallout resulted from Thomas Lesatin’s speech at the launch of Boda Boda Care at the Kenyatta International Conference Center(KICC).
Lesatin, who introduced himself as the Chairman of the Bodaboda Association of Kenya, claimed that the association had been denied permission to allow its members to attend the event and that those in attendance were from the previous regime.
In addition, he stated that previous leaders should have stepped down from power, but instead, they used unethical means to gain favors from the Head of State.
“The bodaboda leaders selected by the prior administration who are present today are not bodaboda leaders. I am the national president of the Kenyan Bodaboda Association.
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“Those who have spoken here are only doing so because they have cartels pushing for them to get close to you (Ruto),” he instigated.
Other bodaboda riders in the crowd began jeering Lesatin immediately, causing him to stop speaking because he was inaudible.
Michael Gitonga, the Master of Ceremonies (MC), was required to intervene and ask Lesatin to conclude his speech.
“I kindly request that you (the crowd) settle down. Please complete your speech (to Lesatin),” he whispered to the association’s head.
Lesatin then abruptly concluded his address by stating that the Bodaboda Association of Kenya would invite the President to a special meeting because they were unable to attend.
He added that they had supported Ruto during his presidential campaign and deserved equal treatment as a result.
Lesatin added, “Because we fought for this government, and out of respect for the fact that we were unable to bring our people to this event, we invite the President to another meeting.”
The Chairman of the Bodaboda Association in Nairobi County, Ken Onyango, mentioned the issue in his speech, stating that all the leaders needed to attend the event.
“These bodaboda leaders all know one another. Numerous other leaders in existence have not participated in this event. Next time, we want to include them,” he said.
Ruto reaffirmed his commitment to support the bodaboda industry at the launch, adding that he had already spent millions of dollars of his own money to assist the entrepreneurs.
“I have contributed approximately Ksh250 million of my own money to fundraisers organized by bodaboda drivers.” This indicates that this issue is important to me,” stated the Head of State.
Bodaboda Riders Clash at President Ruto’s Event over Leadership Disputes
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