Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya has signed political decency and peace charter in ensuring peace and prosperity of the country ahead of 2022 polls.
In a Boda Boda Symposium organised by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) in Nairobi, the association’s national chair Kevin Mubandi called on members to avoid being negatively influenced by the political class and instead make informed decisions.
“We shall not be party to any form of political mobilisation that balkanises the country before, during and after 2022, including being part of the gang culture,” he said.
“We are under pressure from the political class to use the sector as a means of violence in 2022. We assure you that we will not yield to their demands.”
NCIC Chair Samuel Kobia acknowledged that the over 1.4 operators across the country are a force to reckon with noting that their involvement in the promotion of peaceful coexistence within the election cycle is critical.
Kobia has calledon all boda boda riders and Kenyans in general to refuse to be used as goons for hire.
“Turn down senseless offers from politicians and their cohorts to be used as amplifiers of hate messages and executors of violence from politicians to be used as amplifies of hate messages and executors of violence. I warn that those who will be tempted to go in that direction that our enhanced capacity means we will catch up with them, and they will face the full force of the law,” said Kobia.
Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho urged the members to promote peace and cohesion during the election period.
“I urge all members of the sector to say no to political hooliganism and choose to build our country as patriots. I challenge you to realise that being associated with the siege mentality, impunity, and disorderliness is a derogatory insult,” he said.
