Deputy President William Ruto and his Kenya Kwanza team are under criticism after a group of boda boda riders and taxi drivers claim they were not paid for attending the alliance’s rally in Mandera county.
This comes after the section of boda boda riders went to the Mandera Police Station on Friday to report a failed transaction.
According to the riders, certain UDA officials and candidates in the area short-changed them and failed to return their dues.
“We were engaged by a Member of County Assembly (MCA) allied to UDA to escort the Deputy President from the airstrip to a hotel through the town but the guy has disappeared with our pay,” Yakub Abdi, a boda boda operator in Mandera said.
The presence of the boda boda operators in the police station was confirmed by a source at the station, however, officers could not record their complaint because they (boda bodas) failed to present any formal agreement on the subject.
“The boda boda operators were here but we could not receive their complaint because they lacked a formal agreement that formed the basis for their complaint. It could be difficult for us to nail the suspect in this case,” the officer said, requesting anonymity.
Abdi Adan Ali, MCA for Neboi and Leader of the Majority in the Mandera County Assembly, denied short-changing the hired groups for the DP rally in Mandera.
“We engaged twenty-five boda bodas and seventy-five taxi operators for the event and we have settled everyone for that purpose,” Ali said when reached for comment.
After a day of attending DP’s function, the organisations accused him of stealing their dues.
Ali stated that the entire sum obtained from the party headquarters was used to pay the police who provided security as well as the participants who attended the economic forum.
“We paid Sh100,000 to police and another Sh100,000 to UDA candidates and others from affiliate parties who came from places like Mandera North and Lafey as their transport expenses,” Ali said without revealing the total amount from the party.
While Ali worked to clarify his identity, Hassan Issack Hache, UDA senate candidate in Mandera, revealed that the local brigade had received a total of Sh2.5 million to prepare for the DP’s campaign in Mandera.
“Our team received a total of Sh2.5 million for this event but what I know is only about Sh700,000 was used. Our gubernatorial candidate is silent on the rest of the money and yet we have debts to settle,” Hache complained.
He said a local hotel was paid Sh600,000 and another Sh100,000 given to the police.
“Our reputation has been damaged in Mandera considering how some greedy leaders decided to take off with money that was to be used in paying delegates and other expenses,” he said.
After being contacted, Aden, the gubernatorial candidate, denied any abuse of finances for the DP function in Mandera.
“No money has been lost and those claiming the same are raising a false alarm. We had challenges dealing with everyone at the same time but we are in the process of settling all that,” Aden said by phone.
