As the second phase of enhanced continuous voter registration enters day five, Boda boda riders operating in Kitale, Trans Nzoia county have threatened to bar their colleagues who have not registered as voters from operating.
Trans Nzoia Boda Boda chairperson Tonny Kakai alias Kolombo said the unregistered riders have been given three days ultimatum to register or risk loosing their areas of operation.
“We know majority of us have registered as voters. Nonetheless, some of us have not registered. Therefore from Monday next week, we shall not allow such riders to operate in Kitale,” Kolombo said.
He said riders who will not have registered by Monday shall be considered as minors who are not eligible to engage on boda boda business.
“The laws of this country are very clear that anybody below the age of the majority is not authorized to ride a motorbike and we shall send them home until they attain the age of majority,” he added.
On his part, Oscar Juma, a veteran rider, urged boda boda riders across the country not to accept to be used to cause violence in political rallies arguing that such acts endangers their lives.
“From today henceforth, we have vowed not to accept any form of exploitation from politicians. In fact we shall be ambassadors of peace and whoever think they will buy as cheaply, we are telling them we are not available for them,” Juma said.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission is targeting to register 116,148 new voters in an exercise that will be concluded on February 6.
Armstrong Wanyama challenged them to demand for their rights from all elected leaders.
“Politicians have for so long taken us for a ride. Aspirants have been giving us huge promises but upon election, they fail to fulfill them. I am urging my colleagues to shun politics of reflector jackets where politicians give you branded reflectors without paying you marketing fee,” Khisa said.
Trans Nzoia county has over sixty thousand riders drawn from Kiminini, Cherangany, Saboti, Kwanza and Endebess sub counties.
