62-year-old Anna Nyaboke is a boda boda rider plying her trade in Bonchari, a constituency in Kisii County.
The rider came into the limelight after being feted on Mother’s Day in an event organized by Kisii County First Lady, May Arati.
However, Nyaboke’s current job is not new to her having worked as a bicycle boda boda rider and a hand cart puller in the past.
She has also worked as a casual labourer on construction sites in Nairobi, Eldoret, Nyamira and Kisii.
Here is her story as told by WoK.
Nyaboke was born and raised in Miruka, Nyamira County.
According to Monitor, a Ugandan publication, she is the oldest woman in the boda boda business having been in it for the past three years.
The lady rider was on May 14, 2023, feted by Kisii Governor Simba Arati’s wife, May Arati, in an event set up to celebrate women from the county on Mother’s Day.
During the event, Nyaboke rode the Governor’s spouse on her motorcycle to the surprise of those who graced the event.
Speaking afterwards, she shared her excitement over the same and thanked the county government for the recognition.
“The experience was amazing because I had never known that a lowly citizen like me could be called upon to mingle with the high and mighty in society. It was God’s doing and I thank them for the recognition,” Nyaboke said.
While she pointed out women as her biggest critic, she added that men who sought her services question her skills and ability.
“…they do not believe in my ability to do this job, which is considered a man’s job,” Nyaboke said.
Despite calls to retire from the job, Nyaboke says she is still in it so as to inspire women who engage in illegal trade such as selling illicit brews.
“I want jobless women to learn from me. I am an old woman who has dared to do what many frown upon, so that others can be inspired
“Let women who brew chang’aa turn away from the trade and embrace a legal business. Let all women who feel inadequate come out so that we can do this work together,” she said.
This is not the first time Nyaboke is engaging in the boda boda business. In 2005, she worked as a bicycle boda boda rider while living in Nandi Hills.
She also worked as a hand cart puller around the same time.
In addition to that, Nyaboke had previously worked as a casual labourer on various construction sites in Nairobi, Eldoret, Nyamira and Kisii.
