New dawn for Garissa boda boda riders as they elect new leaders after more than a decade

A new chapter has begun for Garissa's boda boda fraternity after riders elected a new leadership.

Members described the exercise as historic, saying it would give operators in the town a stronger voice to champion their welfare and engage with authorities on issues affecting the sector.

The elections, the first to be held in more than a decade, were hailed as a turning point for one of Garissa's fastest-growing sectors, which has become a major source of employment for hundreds of young people and families.

The sector now employs more than 2,000 riders.

However, despite the growth, operators say they continue to grapple with numerous challenges, including insecurity, attacks by criminal gangs, police arrests and what they describe as negative stereotyping.

Newly elected chairman Ben Musili pledged to restore confidence in the association, defend members' rights and foster closer collaboration with security agencies while rooting out criminal elements masquerading as boda boda operators. He spoke after being announced as the winner.

"I am deeply humbled and sincerely grateful for the overwhelming support and confidence you have shown by electing me as your chairman. I accept this responsibility with great humility, knowing it comes with enormous expectations and a duty to serve each one of you faithfully," Musili said in his acceptance speech.

"I did not contest this position for personal gain or prestige. I offered myself because I felt a strong calling to stand with my fellow riders, defend your rights and ensure your voices are heard whenever challenges arise." 

Musili acknowledged that the association has endured years of challenges, including insecurity, harassment by some security officers and a lack of effective representation from previous office bearers.

"For far too long, many of our members have faced difficult situations without anyone speaking up for them. I could no longer stand by and watch," he said.

The chairman also challenged what he termed the unfair criminalisation of boda boda riders.

"I also want to address the negative perception that boda boda riders are criminals. This is unfair and does not reflect who we are," Musili said.

"The vast majority of our members are hardworking, law-abiding citizens who wake up every day to earn an honest living and support their families." 

At the same time, he maintained the association would not shield criminals.

"We will not protect anyone involved in crime. We shall work hand in hand with security agencies to identify the few individuals who seek to tarnish the good name of the boda boda fraternity and ensure they face the full force of the law. Criminals have no place in our association," he said.

Boda boda operator Tony Mbora said the absence of elections for many years left riders without an effective voice to articulate their concerns.

"We have not had elections to choose our officials for more than 10 years and this has really affected us. We face many challenges, including police arrests and attacks by criminal gangs, yet we have lacked leaders to defend us," he said.

Rider Geofrey Moses said the election represented hope for operators who have long lacked effective representation.

"We want a chairman who will truly represent us and look after our welfare. We have faced many challenges while trying to earn a living for our families, but whenever issues arose, we had no one to pursue them on our behalf. That is why we wanted a leader who will genuinely speak for us," he said.

Samson Kitonga, another rider, said the election was an opportunity to replace leaders whom he accused of abandoning the interests of ordinary riders.

"We have seen cases of robbery with violence, shop break-ins and theft in this town and the first suspects are always boda boda riders, even when we have nothing to do with those crimes," he said.

Rider Emily Ndunge said the boda boda business has transformed many lives despite the challenges operators continue to face.

"I have been in this business since 2013 when I came to Garissa, and I have seen it grow from something small into a major source of livelihoods. It has created employment opportunities for hundreds of Kenyans, especially young people who depend on it to support their families," she said.

Ndunge, however, said many riders still struggle with stigma and a lack of respect.

"We are often not given the respect we deserve. Many people despise us, yet among us are fathers, mothers and people working hard to provide for their families," she said.