Kirinyaga county Boda Boda riders have sparked a debate within the region after decrying they should benefit from wearing politicians-branded reflector jackets.
Speaking to a local publication, the riders threatened not to wear the branded merchandise stating that it does not benefit them in any way.
They demanded payment from politicians saying that they would not be do free marketing for the politicians.
"We are tired of wearing branded reflector jackets. In fact, politicians should be paying us just like they pay for the billboards erected in towns," Samuel Ndirangu, one of the boda boda riders stated.
"They are not assisting us in any way by distributing those reflectors, instead we are the ones helping them with their campaigns," he added.
Some riders noted that their clients were inquisitive of details which appeared on their branded reflectors.
One rider stated that he no longer wears the branded merchandise because he is tired of answering to clients.
They have further warned that any leader or politician who wished to distribute branded jackets to prepare to pay for the service.
''There is nowhere in this world you can get advertisements for free, you must be ready to pay the price, otherwise, we shall not wear your branded jackets," another rider said.
The boda boda industry, which highly comprises of the youth, has always been used as a marketing agency for politicians during political campaigns. The trend is most common in rural areas.
Politicians tend to woo them with reflector jackets as awards because they know of their importance in their line of work.
Being a force to reckon with within the social fabric, they have grown to become a key ingredient in political campaigns. Politicians have taken advantage of their influence and branded the reflectors with their names, seats they are vying for, and the political parties they are vying under.
