The Bodaboda Safety Association of Kenya on Wednesday stated it was in support of a potential handshake between President William Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga.
In a statement, the Association stated that only urgent dialogue would bring to an end the chaotic scenes witnessed in the country for the last two months.
On why the group supported a possible handshake, the Association noted that its members had suffered the most due to the anti-government protests.
“The riders are gravely concerned by prolonged business and operations disruptions occasioned by weekly protests that lead to the destruction of property and in some cases loss of lives,” a statement from the Association read in part.
“The demonstrations not only jeopardise the safety and livelihoods of our riders but it is also having a devastating impact on our operations and on our families.”
According to the statement, over three million bodaboda riders across the country were struggling with their jobs at risk.
The Association stated that its members were law-abiding citizens and it was unfortunate that they were being caught between the Gen Z-led protests and the response from the national government.
“ As important and key stakeholders in the transport sectors in Kenya, we urge the government, headed by Ruto to immediately institute good-faith dialogue with all stakeholders to find a peaceful resolution to this crisis,” the group urged.
According to the Bodaboda association, the dialogue should not only involve the opposition but all aggrieved and affected parties.
Key stakeholders to be enjoined in the dialogue include; bodaboda members, representatives from civil society, opposition groups, and the business community.
The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has on the other hand kept sending mixed signals of whether they want to be part of the dialogue or not.
The rest of the parties forming the Azimio coalitions have been resolute in rejecting dialogue with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
