MP Accused of Fueling Division among Boda Boda Operators in Embu

Embu,

Wednesday, November 1, 2023

KNA by Samuel Waititu

Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji has come under fire from a section of boda boda operators in the county who are accusing him of fueling division among them.

This is after the legislator met a group of the riders from his Constituency on Tuesday at a hotel in Embu Town which did not go well with the top leadership of the motorcycle operators.

They faulted him for engaging some of their members behind their back, saying if he was interested in their welfare, he would have engaged all of them to ensure there was proper representation from their members across the constituency.

Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday afternoon, the team led by County boda boda Chairman Martin Muchira accused the MP of taking them for granted arguing he had not initiated any project to assist them since he was elected in August last year.

“He has not even put up a single shed for us anywhere in the constituency to shield us from adverse weather conditions using his CDF kitty,” said Muchira.

Operator Dickson Ndwiga said the MP should focus on how to unite them and improve their working conditions instead of fueling divisions.

However, the other group that met with the MP have come out to defend him, claiming they are the ones who called for the meeting with him to share their challenges with him and also know what programs he has in store for them.

They said the team that met with the MP comprised the leadership of all passenger-picking bays across the constituency and thus were the face of the boda boda fraternity in the area.

“We had met with him as the leaders of passenger bays to know what plans he has for us since we are part and parcel of his area of representation,” said operator Joseph Mugendi.

He said the MP promised to assist those among them who do not have driving licenses to secure them as well as help those in registered groups apply for Uwezo Fund loans to promote their business.

There was nothing sinister about our meeting with the MP as the other group purports,” the rider maintained.

The controversy has erupted days ahead of a planned launch of a strategic plan on Friday by the operators and which is expected to be graced by Governor Cecily Mbarire.

Courtesy ; KNA