Calvin Ochieng, a boda boda operator based in Nairobi's Kilimani estate, was among those President William Ruto recognised in his Madaraka Day Celebrations speech on Thursday, June 1.
Speaking at Moi Stadium, Embu, the Head of State, expressed optimism that Ochieng would enjoy proposed reforms in the boda boda sector and the entire public service vehicles (PSV) sector.
Ruto announced that his administration was rolling out an electric vehicle public transport system extending to the boda boda sector.
He thus urged Otieno to prepare and embrace the changes in the sector. Among them was acquiring electric bikes affordably, through the Ministry of Transport under Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.
"Our boda boda industry is about to experience inclusive transformation through the introduction of more efficient, affordable, and clean vehicles. With this intervention, owning and operating a boda boda will become affordable, secure, and profitable," Ruto stated.
"I am eager that this information reaches the seconder of my presidential nomination, Calvin Ochieng, who operates in Kilimani so that he can escalate his hustle to the next level," Ruto added.
Ruto's Ties with Otieno
Ochieng seconded Ruto when he presented his presidential bid to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) in June 2022. Ruto was accompanied by Ochieng and Pauline Waithera, who runs a fruit grocery shop in Kiambu town.
The two were photographed at Bomas of Kenya as the head of state was cleared to contest in the 2022 General Election.
The Head of State then described Ochieng, the seconder, as "a great friend who runs his small hustle around Kilimani and constantly supports us in the UDA office whenever we need a messenger."
Predatory motorbike creditors
Besides pushing for the adoption of electric bikes, the Head of State vowed to reign on predatory boda boda creditors. In the new plan, Ruto stated that operators could get bikes at affordable rates.
The new scheme would be unveiled in September 2023, Ruto disclosed.
"By September 2023, we will have a mechanism where you can a have boda boda that does not need petrol but runs on electricity, one that is financed not by a predatory system, but one that respects the interest of those who purchase boda bodas," Ruto stated.
