Ruto: I haven’t abandoned boda boda riders, mama mbogas

President William Ruto has dismissed assertions that his administration has neglected boda boda riders and mama mbogas, the groups he often referred to as the foundation of his bottom-up economic model.

Speaking during a meeting with a section of boda boda national officials at State House, Ruto reiterated that the interests of those at the bottom of the economic pyramid remain central to his government’s policies.

“Kuna watu wengi wananikejeli kwamba nilisahau watu wa bodaboda na mama mboga katika mpango yetu,” he said.

“Mimi nataka niwajibu leo. Kwa ile bottom-up nilisema, 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 said he has consistently supported the boda boda community, noting that during the last general election, he placed both boda boda riders and mama mbogas at the heart of the national conversation.

“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?”

He added that his government remains committed to protecting their livelihoods.

“That is why today, no one can threaten the businesses of bodaboda riders,” he said, adding that Kenya should be a country for all, not just the elite.

Ruto said his administration’s goal is to ensure every Kenyan, from small-scale traders to major investors, has a role in building the nation.

“We want a Kenya where everyone contributes and is included, starting with those at the bottom and moving upward.”

His remarks come amid public debate and criticism from some opposition leaders, including Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who questioned the effectiveness of the bottom-up economic model in uplifting the informal sector.

Kalonzo said many Kenyans were growing disillusioned with the government’s promises, arguing that the administration had not met expectations tied to campaign pledges targeting low-income earners.

“William Ruto and his team came in saying, We will help mama mbogas. We will help youth get employment. We will make sure that we kick poverty in the teeth,” Kalonzo said.

“But this country now, a lot of Kenyans, I can tell you, have dropped below the poverty line. And you know the poverty line internationally is described as anybody who is earning less than a dollar a day."

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had earlier remarked that Ruto no longer references boda boda riders or mama mbogas in his public addresses.