Elections in Kenya are like a thriller moving. Things just happen unexpectedly. One drama after the other.
Kakamega gubernatorial aspirant Cleophas Malala is trending in the political space after he promised to give each bodaboda rider 1k if they vote for him.
Malala was speaking at a political rally outside Bukhungu Stadium on Sunday, 31 July. He asked bodaboda riders, the economic backbone of Kakamega County, not to work on the election day on the 9th of August. He asked them to go to their respective polling stations instead to vote for him.
He went on to tell them that he needed them to stay at the polling stations to guard his votes against being rigged.
“On that day, if you are a boda boda rider, don’t go to work remain in your poling station and guard my votes,” he said, “ when I will be sworn in your governor here in Bukhungu, I will 1000 to any person who will come with a motorbike.”
The Ik he would give each of them is meant to compensate the wages they would have earned if they went to work.
He said, “The 1000 will my payment for a job welldone.”
H also promised not to discriminate against anyone once he is in office.
“I want to tell all communities here in Kakamega not to be worried as we not look down on any community,” he said.
He completed his pledge asking the people of Kakamega County to vote in peace.
Malala is vying to replace the outgoing governor, Wycliffe Oparanya, under the Kenya Kwanza ticket.
He will face Fernandez Barasa of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), Cyrus Jirongo of the United Democratic Party (UDP), Samuel Omukoko of the Maendeleo Democratic Party (MDP), and other aspirants.
His pledges have stirred a mixed reaction online, with his supporters echoing they will vote for him while his opponents accusing him of giving false promises.
