Government Responds to Allegations of Fake Boda Bodas at State House Youth Forum

The government has responded to growing concerns over allegations that fake boda bodas were issued during President William Ruto’s recent youth empowerment forum at State House in Nairobi.

Young participants claim they were misled during a high-profile event intended to support youth entrepreneurship. The initiative, designed to promote youth-led businesses, especially in the boda boda (motorcycle taxi) sector, has come under fire after several beneficiaries alleged they were promised motorcycles that were never delivered. The controversy erupted on social media, where videos and posts by disappointed attendees went viral. 

One participant recorded a video describing how they were asked to pose with motorcycles for publicity photos during the event at State House but were later informed that the actual delivery would come later—a promise that was never fulfilled. Many now believe the event was more about creating a public image than offering real support.

Further allegations have come from a separate group of around 50 youths who claim they were promised media equipment in exchange for attending the forum. They say they submitted formal proposals and received verbal commitments, but no equipment or support followed. Many of them have since labelled the initiative a “hoax” and a betrayal of their trust.

In response, government officials have strongly denied the claims. Dennis Itumbi, Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy, dismisses the accusations as misinformation. He clarifies that the programme was intended to benefit 1,150 registered youth groups, each consisting of ten members, and said that only group chairpersons were authorised to collect the motorcycles. 

He insists that the distribution process followed clear guidelines and announced that a second phase of the programme would soon be launched. Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu, who has also been named in the complaints, defends the initiative, stating that all youths under her oversight had received their promised motorcycles. She acknowledges that some minor issues may have occurred but described them as isolated incidents. 

State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed echoes these sentiments, claiming that all 1,100 youth groups who submitted proposals had been approved, funded, and supported. He criticises media outlets for focusing on individual stories without addressing the broader context and structure of the programme.