Boda boda operators in Matete, Lugari Sub County have asked politicians and election registration stakeholders to involve them in the ongoing nationwide mass voter registration exercise.
Speaking to West Media at Mokhonje market, the riders through their chairperson, Mr. Jacob Ofwera and secretary, Mr. Wycliffe Nyota, expressed their disappointment over what they
described as negligence by members of the political class.
“We are stunned by the failure of our political leaders to involve us in this vital nationwide mass voter listing drive,” observed Ofwera.
Referring to media reports that put Western and Nyanza regions at the tail end after first week of the exercise, Ofwera attributed the situation to a disjointed approach and lack of commitment from sections of area leaders.
The group wondered why politicians were always quick to use boda boda operators to ‘decorate’ their rallies but failed to recognise their significance during voter enlisting exercises.
“Few litres of fuel is all boda boda operators need from aspiring politicians to enable them to traverse all villages and ferry eligible voters to Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) registration centres, we should not be used as flower girls in
politicians’ entourages,” remarked Ofwera.
The chairman who disclosed that he had ensured that all boda bodas operating under him were registered urged other boda boda leaders to emulate the same by making sure all operators in the Western region at large enlist as voters before 14th February in preparation for the August polls.
Elsewhere, Lugari ward Member of County Assembly (MCA), Musa Makhapila is set to launch about 40 motorcycles, which would be used to buttress the registration exercise in his ward.
“The motorbikes would be used to transport eligible voters to and from registration centres across my assembly ward,” said Makhapila during an interview.
Mautuma ward MCA, Josphat Wasilwa wants IEBC to ensure voter registration clerks conduct the same exercise within secondary and post-secondary institutions.
“We are aware of a large number of students in secondary schools countrywide who have been denied permission to register as voters,” alleged Wasilwa.