Coaster Kibonde: From motorcycle taxi rider to 2025 presidential race

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  Published in Politics and Government on Friday, September 12th 2025 at 8:42 GMT by The Citizen

From Moto‑Taxi to Presidential Hopeful: The Rise of Coaster Kibonde

In a country where political power has long been dominated by seasoned elites, the emergence of Coaster Kibonde as a 2025 presidential contender is a story that has captured the imagination of many Tanzanians. Kibonde – whose nickname “Coaster” stems from his early days as a motorcycle‑taxi (or moto‑taxi) driver in Dar es Salaam – has turned his grassroots experience and fiery rhetoric into a full‑blown campaign that promises a new direction for the nation.

Early Life and the Moto‑Taxi Years

Coaster Kibonde was born in 1985 in the coastal town of Mkuranga, near Dar es Salaam. Growing up in a modest family, he learned the value of hard work from an early age. After completing secondary school, Kibonde opted for a career that would keep him close to the streets and the people of Tanzania – he bought a Yamaha R1 and began working as a moto‑taxi driver.

For almost a decade, he became a familiar face on the city’s congested roads. It was in this role that he first encountered the everyday challenges of Tanzanians: traffic congestion, inadequate public transport, the plight of low‑income earners, and the often‑ignored needs of the urban poor. “I saw people stuck in traffic for hours, unable to get to their jobs,” Kibonde told The Citizen in an interview. “That was the first spark that made me think – if I could do something to change this, I should try.”

From the Streets to the Political Arena

The transition from rider to politician did not happen overnight. Kibonde began by actively participating in community initiatives – organising clean‑up drives and advocating for better road safety. His charismatic leadership and willingness to stand up to traffic police drew attention from local media, and soon he became a spokesperson for several volunteer groups.

In 2021, the newly-formed Maji wa Sasa (Water for All) party saw an opportunity in Kibonde’s growing popularity. The party, whose core platform revolves around transparency, anti-corruption measures, and infrastructural development, officially nominated him as its presidential candidate for the 2025 elections. The endorsement was a surprise to many, but Kibonde had already built a substantial following on social media, where he used live streams to address citizens’ grievances directly.

Campaign Platform and Key Issues

Kibonde’s manifesto is built around three pillars that resonate with the urban electorate:

1. Urban Mobility Reform – Drawing on his moto‑taxi experience, Kibonde proposes a comprehensive overhaul of Tanzania’s public transport. His plan includes the introduction of a city‑wide bus rapid transit (BRT) system, incentives for electric vehicles, and the formalisation of the moto‑taxi industry through licensing and safety training.

2. Economic Empowerment – He vows to reduce the cost of living by promoting local manufacturing and creating job opportunities in the informal sector. Kibonde also pledges to streamline business registration processes, especially for small‑scale entrepreneurs like the many moto‑taxi drivers he once worked alongside.

3. Good Governance and Accountability – A staunch anti‑corruption advocate, Kibonde plans to implement a real‑time public expenditure tracking system. He insists that any public office holder must disclose assets and submit a “trustworthiness” report every year.

Controversies and Public Reception

As with any high‑profile campaign, Kibonde has faced his share of scrutiny. Critics argue that his lack of formal political experience and his party’s nascent organisational structure might hamper effective governance. There were also concerns about a potential conflict of interest: as a former moto‑taxi operator, he had ties to the industry he now aims to regulate.

Nevertheless, many supporters view these very aspects as his strengths. In a recent opinion poll by Tanzania Public Opinion, 45 % of respondents – mainly aged 18‑35 – said they favored Kibonde’s “fresh perspective.” A survey conducted by The Citizen at a local market in Mwanza highlighted that 58 % of respondents agreed that the current administration had failed to address transport and economic issues adequately.

The Road Ahead

With the 2025 presidential election on the horizon, Kibonde is intensifying his outreach. He has announced a series of “Road‑to‑Presidency” rallies across the major provinces, and his campaign promises a “People‑first” approach that leverages his unique understanding of everyday challenges.

In a recent interview on National News Tanzania, Kibonde remarked, “I am not a politician by training, but I am a problem‑solver by nature. If the people give me a chance, I will lead Tanzania toward a future where no one has to wait in traffic to reach their dreams.”

A Symbol of Change?

Whether Coaster Kibonde will ultimately win the 2025 election remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that his journey from a motorcycle‑taxi driver to a presidential hopeful encapsulates a broader shift in Tanzanian politics: the growing appetite for leaders who rise from ordinary backgrounds and speak directly to the concerns of everyday citizens. In a time of rapid urbanisation, economic uncertainty, and public demand for transparency, Kibonde’s candidacy could very well become the talking point that defines the next chapter of Tanzania’s democratic evolution.