From KSh50 savings per day, Ruiru boda boda operators buy five-acre piece of land worth millions

A saving culture has enabled boda boda operators in Ruiru, Kiambu County, to buy a piece of land on which they intend to build their houses.

Despite the negative reputation of the sector over association with crime, traffic accidents and impunity, the Ruiru are riding on the wave of success and are out to prove Kenyans otherwise.

By saving KSh50 everyday, the boda boda operators have bought a five-acre of piece of land on which they intend to putting up houses. This, they say, will unshackle them from the slavery of landlords.

Under the umbrella of Ruiru Boda Boda Association, the riders, with a membership of 200 operators, have been leaving nothing to chance to pursue the property-ownership dream.

According to their chairman Lawrence Kariuki, the riders started saving pre- Covid-19. The savings culture has kept them financially disciplined.

Kariuki noted that the operators had been saving in a Sacco belonging to a politician but withdrew during the electioneering period to join Kamuthi Housing Co-operative Society. The co-operative later lent them more money to facilitate purchase of the land.

Speaking when Kamuthi Housing management handed them the five-acre land title deed in Ruiru town, Kariuki called on the public to stop branding them as criminals and support their economic growth. 

On his part, Murakaro Wa Gatheru, CEO Kamuthi Housing, noted that the operators have exhibited a disciplined saving culture that has seen them undergo drastic transformation from just riders to land owners.

Among the 200 members of the association, Gatheru said, 35 of them are now owners of 50X100 plots in Laikipia County.  They intend to develop the land by putting up houses for their families.

On his part, the co-operative chairman Bernard Kung’u described the milestone achieved by the youngsters as exemplary and urged the youth to put up a spirited saving culture to help them achieve their dreams faster.

Ruiru MP Simon King’ara who has been supporting the riders insisted that with proper guidance, the financially-disadvantaged members of society can rise to achieve all their dreams. King’ara urged Kenyans to form cluster groups to benefit from readily available government funding and establish their income generating activities.

Bishop JJ Gitahi urged the government to keep its word by continuing to support the low income earners and in the process, alleviate poverty.

Gitothua Ward MCA John Njogu urged other riders in the country to emulate Ruiru operators and join hands to achieve their dreams faster.