Boda boda rider who campaigned for Linet Toto says he's still waiting for her to help him

Gideon Cheruiyot, the now famous boda boda rider who was captured on numerous photos ferrying Bomet Woman Representative Linet 'Toto' Chepkorir to rallies during the campaign period, says his life has remained relatively the same despite the fact that she clinched the seat.

Cheruiyot, who is still a boda boda rider in Bomet, says that although his communication with Toto has reduced since she ascended to the position, he is still hopeful that she will come through for him in the not so distant future.

This, he states, is because each time he runs into the legislator or manages to get a hold of her for a conversation, she often acknowledges his efforts and contribution to her campaign during the electioneering season and tells him not to worry as she will presumably sort him out.

According to Cheruiyot, however, the work he did for Toto during campaigns was purely because he truly believed she embodied President William Ruto’s ‘bottom-up’ ideology, and not because he wanted anything in return – although he wouldn’t mind it.

“Ile kazi tulifanya na mheshimiwa hadi akaingia kwa kiti, nimemaliza na ninangojea tu kuenjoy maisha yangu after mheshimiwa Toto amenisaidia. Ile kazi nilifanya ilikuwa tu kujivolunteer na pikipiki yangu. I was fueling my motorbike as she said, and even while she was appreciating, she was grateful for the work we did together,” he said.

“Whenever we talk, she tells me that she remembers me and that I should not worry…so I'm waiting on her to see how she will help me so that I can have a better life. I would want to see her change my life because currently, I am popular around and people always want to see how my life has changed. I’m hoping that after five years, nitaonyeshana matunda yake kama vile matunda yangu ilionekana baada ya kumsaidia.”

Cheruiyot, speaking to Citizen Digital in an exclusive interview, however sought to distance himself from reports that he and the legislator were in a romantic relationship in the days leading up to the General Election.

This comes hot on the heels of news of Toto’s much-publicized engagement to Bomet businessman Godfrey Kimutai Tanui on Valentine’s Day.

The boda boda rider dismissed claims that Toto had broken up with him in order to marry the businessman saying they were never even an item to begin with, further congratulating her for taking the next step in her personal life.

“Nataka kushukuru watu wa social media kwa sababu walipojua nimemsaidia Toto, wamekuwa wakifuatilia sana waone kama nimesaidika. Nataka niwaambie kuwa mimi nilikuwa tu nimejitolea kumsaidia tu kwa kufanya campaigns, na hiyo mambo ya relationship hatukufikia hapo,” he said.

“To be honest, I didn’t know about the engagement, I learnt about it from social media. I was happy to know that…it is a good step since it is her own decision. I have no problem with that.”