By Abdi Hussein
Co-operation from boda boda riders will be a major challenge in the nationwide boda boda safety training programme launched recently in three regions as most of the riders claim they are unable to raise the Sh4, 500 fee required for the training.
Speaking at Kajiado KCB grounds during the launch of the safety programme recently, Environment Cabinet Secretary Keriako Tobiko said boda boda enterprise feed more than 8 millios Kenyans daily direct and indirectly yet most riders are not trained contributing to high boda boda riders mortality.
The national government programme in
collaboration with National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA) and National Youth
Service (NYS) is aimed to raise road safety awareness across the country and
ensure all riders are trained and licensed, according to the National Transport
Safety Authority (NTSA) Deputy Director General Badu Katelu.
Katelu said that up to 70% of boda boda riders lack driving licences and
lack road safety skills endangering lives with 1,548 riders recorded to have
died in road accidents in 2019 alone.More than 10,000 riders are said to have
sustained injuries.
He said the training programme will be elaborate on road safety, preventive
health and micro finance enterprises to empower riders.
“Riders are the biggest casualties of road carnage and we must change the
narrative by ensuring all riders are trained and awarded with licences,” said
Mr Katelu.
He urged all key stakeholders and county governments to support the programme
to help facilitate riders to enroll in the training to safeguard lives.
Mr Tobiko said the training targets 1.4 million boda boda riders in the
country expressing optimism the consultative programme will help curb road
carnage.
“The national government in collaboration with road safety stakeholders
will ensure the boda boda enterprise is safeguarded by ensuring all riders are
licensed. Boda boda riders contribute to Sh353 billion to the economy annually,”
said Keriako. He also marshalled riders to support the Building Bridges
Initiative (BBI) assuring them it will facilitate more resources to the
grassroots.
Kajiado Governor Joseph ole lenku said the boda boda sector can be
streamlined by ensuring proper training of the riders and wide consultation on
matters affecting them.
“We have grieved with our boda boda riders families left destitute by the
deaths of breadwinners. My government will sponsor the first batch of 2,000 of
riders to be trained.We will seize the subsidized charges to ensure the 20,000
riders in the entire country are trained,” said Lenku.
The National Youth Service (NYS) chairman said 7,000 trainers have
undergone rigorous training to be able to train riders across the country.
Most riders said the training is key for them to acquire road safety
skills but called on the government to consider reducing the training fee or
make it free.
They said they are enveloped by major economic hurdles as competition and post Covid-19
remains major hurdles.
“Most of us make less than Sh500 per day to support our families. Let the
government consider making the programme free to help us.
The programme will be conducted in technical colleges across the county.