Rival groups clashing during a bodaboda operators' election at Liberty Children Home grounds in Mlolongo, Machakos county, on September 2, 2025.
Tensions flared on Tuesday during a boda boda operators’ election in Mlolongo, Athi River subcounty, Machakos County, after rival groups clashed shortly after voting began.
The election, held at Liberty Children’s Home from around 9:00 a.m., was disrupted for about 15 minutes as members of the opposing groups exchanged blows. Some participants reportedly used crude weapons, leaving several injured.
At least two people were arrested and taken to Mlolongo Police Station, while those injured were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Officers from Mlolongo Police Station, led by the area OCS and his deputy, intervened to restore order before the election resumed.
The vote was organised to elect the overall chairman of bodaboda operators from Mlolongo, Sabaki, and Syokimau. It was presided over by members of the area community policing team, led by chairman Onesmus Musau.
Musau announced Lazarus Muteti as chairman-elect after garnering 731 votes.
According to him, 755 people participated in the poll. Other contestants included Simon Mutie, who received one vote, and incumbent chairman Alex Mutuku, who was said to have received seven votes. Sixteen ballots were declared spoiled.
“Despite some disruptions, police contained the situation and the elections were concluded peacefully. Lazarus Muteti is the overall chairman of bodaboda operators in Mlolongo, Sabaki, and Syokimau,” Musau said.
However, a section of operators led by Mutuku rejected the outcome, claiming the process was not representative. They argued that the exercise was influenced by outsiders and that legitimate bodaboda structures were sidelined.
“Many genuine operators did not participate. I also found my name on the ballot without my knowledge. We believe the exercise was biased, and we shall plan for a more inclusive election involving all operators in the area,” Mutuku told reporters.
He insisted that the area has more than 3,000 registered operators, questioning how 700 voters could make decisions for the majority.
Muteti, on the other hand, defended the process, saying it was conducted in line with stakeholder agreements and after a two-week campaign period.
“The elections were disrupted by a rival group, but members turned out and voted. I remain the duly elected chairman,” he said.
Mlolongo Syokimau Bodaboda Association secretary general Joseph Mwania also criticised the exercise, pointing out that it had been suspended earlier by the Boda boda Safety Association of Kenya.
A letter from the association’s national chairman, Kevin Mubadi, dated September 1, 2025, had directed that the Mlolongo election be postponed to allow for a properly planned, all-inclusive process.
The letter, addressed to the Assistant County Commissioner and copied to Interior PS Raymond Omollo, emphasised that elections fall under the mandate of the national association in collaboration with security agencies.
