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Following protracted wrangles between Kitengela bodaboda riders over disputed leadership, finally, the riders have unanimously elected their leaders.

In its first-of-its-kind peaceful elections that brought together warring factions, the election was conducted.

For a long time, Kitengela bodaboda riders sharply differed and engaged in fierce disagreements over leadership, seeing rivalry among the riders.

The fight has seen the populous town which has 5,400 registered riders have warring self-declared spokespersons creating wrangles and confusion.

The battle recently attracted national attention with Kenya Bodaboda Safety Association and Kenya Bodaboda Association sharply differing on whether elections should be conducted or not.

Kevin Mubadi the national chairman for the boda boda safety association instead told K24 that the warring parties had agreed and put up structures to facilitate a free and fair election.

“There were issues but finally we agreed,” Mubadi said.

It is until yesterday that the rider’s elections were effected after being postponed severally.

Unlike previous elections marred with chaos, the exercise under the watch of independent observers was conducted peacefully with results declared at night.

Boda boda chairperson

Geoffrey Karanja was elected the boda boda riders’ overall chairperson where he trounced three other candidates.

Karanja reassured all bodaboda riders that he will focus on uniting them as well as streamlining the sector management.

“I want to call my opponents and the entire bodaboda fraternity to purpose that we unite for our success,” Karanja said shortly after being elected.

Mismanagement of welfare and saving money, corruption in the selection mode of riders to attend training among other powers bestowed to leadership have been the bone of contention.

No office bearer has ever been elected and managed to serve for their term of three years without a motion of impeachment and unrest.

Those elected to office will now serve for three years.