Makutano Boda Drama: New Sacco Arrives With Certificates, Chairman and Confusion — But Nobody Seems to Know Who Invited It

Boda Boda Operators Waiting for Customers. There has been issues within Makutano after a New Sacco was allegedly registered in the area. Photo/NTSA.

If there is one thing Makutano boda boda operators know very well, apart from shortcuts, traffic police moods and where to get tea at odd hours, it is their Saccos.

Mention Cornerstone and almost everyone around Makutano knows what you are talking about. Mention Mark 5, Three Steers or Kinoru and riders can tell you where they operate, who belongs there and probably give you a brief history before you finish your tea.

But apparently, somewhere along the way, a new Sacco entered the chat.

And according to several boda boda operators and leaders who spoke about the matter, even the people expected to welcome it were left scratching their helmets.

The controversy surrounds a newly formed boda boda Sacco in Makutano which, according to operators, came into existence roughly a month ago. Questions quickly emerged over its formation, certificates allegedly issued to riders and a leadership structure that some established boda boda leaders say they were never consulted about.

In other words, the Sacco appears to have arrived in Makutano the way an unexpected relative arrives during Christmas — already inside the compound before anybody remembers inviting them.

The dispute has now attracted the attention of senior security officers and boda boda leadership from across Meru municipality.

A meeting bringing together the DCIO, OCS and boda boda leaders was held following protests by operators. According to sources familiar with the discussions, the authorities questioned how the new organisation had been established and directed that certificates associated with the controversial arrangement be cancelled.

There were also calls for money collected from riders to be refunded.

According to operators, registration charges had reportedly been imposed on riders joining the new arrangement. Riders associated with established groups including Cornerstone, Mark 5, Kinoru and Three Steers were allegedly expected to pay KSh2,000, while some riders outside those groups had reportedly been asked for as much as KSh10,000.

That, naturally, did not go down smoothly.

Cornerstone remains one of the best-known boda boda Saccos operating around Makutano, alongside other established groups within the municipality.

Leaders from these recognised groups told Meru Daily that they were surprised by the emergence of the new leadership structure, saying they had not been consulted.

The biggest mystery, however, appears to be the identity and legitimacy of the man presented as chairman.

Several established boda boda leaders claimed they did not know him.

According to sources present during one of the meetings, the purported chairman had what can politely be described as a difficult afternoon explaining how the organisation had come into existence and who exactly had authorised what.

In normal Meru language, maswali yalikuwa mengi kuliko majibu.

One Makutano operator, Gordie, who works both day and night around the area, summed up the confusion when Meru Daily sought views from riders.

He insisted that he neither knew the new Sacco nor could even remember its name.

And Gordie works in Makutano day and night.

So when the boda guy who practically sees Makutano during both sunshine and moonlight tells you, “Hiyo Sacco hata sijui jina,” you begin to appreciate the depth of the mystery.

The standoff has already triggered demonstrations.

On Thursday morning, boda boda operators marched towards Kinoru over the matter. The following day, Friday, riders again demonstrated, this time heading towards Kambakia Police Post.

The Kambakia engagement became the second major meeting arising from the dispute.

The first meeting had reportedly been attended by the purported chairman together with newly posted senior security officers in the area.

By the second meeting, however, the temperature had risen considerably, with representatives from different boda boda groups demanding clarity on registration, certificates, leadership and the confiscation of motorcycles.

Authorities reportedly directed that motorcycles confiscated during the dispute should be returned to their owners.

Another major issue raised by riders concerned operating hours.

Operators rejected suggestions of restricting boda boda business under what some referred to as an “usiku Sacco” arrangement. Riders maintained that they should be allowed to operate normally without unnecessary limitations on their working hours.

Around Makutano, many riders traditionally operate until about 10pm, while others work considerably later depending on customers and individual arrangements.

Cornerstone operators, for example, are known for maintaining flexible working hours.

The riders therefore argued that no new organisation should suddenly appear carrying a stopwatch and deciding when grown men with motorcycles must go home.

As part of efforts to resolve the broader dispute, another meeting has reportedly been scheduled for Tuesday involving boda boda operators from across Meru municipality, stretching from Gitimbine towards Makutano.

Leadership of boda boda organisations within the municipality is expected to feature prominently in the discussions.

There are already calls for changes in leadership, greater consultation and clearer representation for operators across the municipality.

According to sources, the DCIO also proposed that the disputed chairman should first join Cornerstone as an ordinary member rather than attempt to establish leadership structures that recognised operators say they do not understand.

Authorities were also reported to have supported the refunding of money collected from affected riders.

For now, Makutano boda operators appear united on one basic question:

Before you become chairman, chairman of who?

Because in boda boda politics, you may print certificates, call meetings and even acquire a title.

But if the men at the stage don't know you, my friend, hiyo ni leadership ya Google Drive.

And Makutano riders would like someone to explain who shared the link.

About the Author

Felix Kinyua is a Meru-based freelance journalist and blogger behind Meru Daily, covering local politics, community affairs and the wonderfully unpredictable everyday life of Meru County — usually with one eye on the facts and the other on the comedy hiding inside them.