By Betty Luke
The differences between bodaboda operators and Isiolo Woman Rep Rehema Jaldesa continue to play out with the riders shifting guns on Deputy President William Ruto over what they term as ‘unfulfilled’ promise.
The operators who differed with Ms Jaldesa over the amount of money they would have been paid to escort Dr Ruto during his last Sunday tour now say the DP did not honour a promise he made to them in public.
The disgruntled youths held protests outside St Eusebius Catholic Church where Dr Ruto and hosts of MPs were attending a service and would later during a rally in Isiolo town, demand that their Chairperson Moses Miriti addresses the crowd.
The differences were so serious that Ms Jaldesa chose to remain in the vehicle while the DP’s entourage left the church for the town rally where a section of the charged youths were waiting to embarass her in public.
The MP would the following day while handing over Sh2 million DP Ruto promised to market traders accuse the group of being paid by her competitors to embarass her saying she would not give in to their intimidations.
“If the differences is what will take me home, then I am ready,” Ms Jaldesa said while handing over the money to the market committee.
Ms Jaldesa said the operators declined a Sh100, 000 offer for 100 riders and that they later, while protesting outside the church, demanded up front payment after DP Ruto agreed to offer them Sh500, 000.
The riders however said the last offer they were given was of Sh300, 000 and that the officials and members unanimously demanded to be paid before the work.
“I told the DP to retain the money after they demanded up front payment. I will not be intimidated by cartels,” Ms Jaldesa noted.
While maintaining that they had no ulterior motive in declining offer given by the leader, the operators demanded that Dr Ruto honours the promise he made to them during the rally.
The Deputy President, after the bodaboda operators official spoke and a section of the youths alleged mistreatment by Ms Jaldesa, promised to meet the riders after the rally and to iron out the issue though he did not specify the amount of money or support he would give.
But the operators say, they have not been notified if there was any money that DP Ruto left behind for them.
“The market traders were given their money. We wonder where our share is,” Mr Mohammud Ahmed said.
During a recent meeting in Isiolo town, the bodaboda officials said they will stay put and that no leader will divide them.
“If you were given our money, inform our Chairperson and hand it over to him,” he said in direct reference to Ms Jaldesa.
Mr Miriti, who during the rally asked DP Ruto to empower the bodaboda operators, said they were having hard time convincing the members that they had not received any money.
“Our members are demanding the money and DP Ruto should fulfil the promise,” he said.
The official said he had recorded statement with police following threats to his life.
“Some people sneaked into my home and threatened me. I had to call the OCS and later recorded statement,” Mr Miriti revealed.
The continued wrangling could further threaten United Democratic Alliance (UDA) inroads in the region where majority of the leaders are supporting President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Handshake partner Raila Odinga.
