Nakuru,
Thursday April 18, 2024
KNA by Veronica Bosibori
The County Government of Nakuru has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering the Boda Boda sector through a range of initiatives aimed at enhancing safety, entrepreneurship, and financial stability for operators.
This commitment was reaffirmed during today’s a courtesy call by Boda Boda community representatives and officials from Discovery Community Boda Boda Sacco to Nakuru County Secretary, Dr. Samuel Mwaura.
Dr. Mwaura noted that besides organizing the Boda Boda operators in Saccos, the County administration will also ensure that all riders across the County secure health insurance covers to cushion them from many health related risks.
His sentiments were echoed by County Trade Executive Stephen Kuria who said formalizing the sector will facilitate its players to access affordable credit through the County Enterprise Fund.
Kuria added they will facilitate Discovery Community Boda Boda Sacco in order to realize Governor Susan Kihika’s vision of supporting Boda Boda operators across the County. The operators thanked the governor for considering their plight.
In attendance were Kibet Kurgat (CO, Cooperatives), Josephine Ngandu (Director Cooperatives), Francis Njoroge (Political Office), Charles Nyanaro(Ag Enforcement Director), and John Macharia(County Officer)among other County officials.
However, Nakuru residents regretted the increasing number of insecurity and accidents that are blamed on the Boda Boda riders with Pastor Philemon Omwega appealing to the county government to urgently train the riders on road safety, and customer care.
Pastor Omwega noted with distress that a number of parents were purchasing motor bikes for their jobless children as a way of keeping them occupied, which has led to a deluge of riders, and reduced the income from the business.
This, he alleged has led to some riders resorting to crime to make ends meet.
Apart from that, the pastor lamented that unscrupulous business people were forming Saccos daily and wooing Boda Boda riders to take loans, which they are aware they cannot repay, and eventually end up taking the motor bikes and reselling them at high profits.
He urged the government to protect the burgeoning industry from such pests.
Courtesy; KNA