Limit ‘boda bodas’ in CBD, traders ask

NAKURU: The decision to evict hawkers from Nakuru town’s Central Business District last month was praised by residents as the beginning of an end to a headache that had lasted decades.

The hawkers had taken over public space and roads with ruthless abandon, leading to congestion and insecurity.

But even before residents begin enjoying order in the town, another menace has emerged.

The influx of tuk tuks and motorcycle taxis, popularly known as boda bodas, is becoming a source of stress to the business community.

According to the Traffic Department, boda boda accidents in Nakuru town have led to the deaths of 10 people in January alone. Nakuru Traffic Base Commander Joseph Mwangi says most accidents involving motorcycles are caused by recklessness.

“We have had 10 fatal accidents,” said Mwangi, who added the most sustainable solution would be to create special lanes for boda bodas.

The mess is hurting business in the otherwise calm town, creating massive noise pollution as well as traffic congestion. The operators pick and drop customers at any point.

In 2011, the UN Habitat ranked Nakuru the fastest growing town in eastern and central Africa. However, the uncontrolled traffic and rising population has led to congestion. 

“The boda bodas are a nuisance,” says John Muthee, a businessman who owns a boutique along Kenyatta Avenue. He says he is a victim of the boda boda menace because roads leading to his shops are crowded and blocked by the motorcycle taxis.

“The county government has to review the traffic arrangement because the operators are making this town unattractive,” added Muthee.

According to boda boda operators chairman Samson Nundu, Nakuru town alone has more than 8,500 operators and there are 25,000 operators in the entire breadth of  Nakuru County.

Previously, Nakuru was the only major town without boda boda operating within the CBD. Speeding at the town centre is a serious concern.

Former Municipal Council of Nakuru Town Clerk Sheikh Abdulahi says they introduced a by-law barring the boda bodas from operating within town and those who flouted the rule were arrested and charged.

During that time, he said, the motorcyclists and other cyclists operated at designated areas outside the CBD, especially around Oginga Odinga road and the Kenya Farmers Association (KFA) round-about.

“I do not know at what point they were allowed into the CBD. It is chaotic at the moment, not even the recent banning of hawkers from the streets will redeem the situation,” he says. The county government had earlier indicated they would ban the boda bodas from the town’s CBD, but changed tune after the operators opposed the move.

PARKING FEES

In the 2013 Finance Bill that Governor Kinuthia Mbugua signed after approval by the County Assembly, the motorcyclists, bicycles and tuk tuk operators were asked to pay parking fees within  the CBD.

Motorbikes boda boda operators pay Sh500 per month   within Nakuru and Sh300 in Naivasha and other towns, while Tuk tuk operators pay Sh1,500 in Nakuru and Sh700 in Naivasha and other towns.

Nundu, however, insists that the operators will not move out of the CBD, and argues that the county government earns revenue from them.

“Business within the CBD is booming. Besides, no customer is willing to walk long distances to board motorcycles home after work. That is why we will stay within the CBD,” said Nundu who adds that not all accidents are caused by boda bodas. “Accidents should be treated as accidents whether caused by motor vehicles or boda bodas,” said Nundu.

County Executive in charge of Transport Joel Maina said he had constituted a seven-man committee comprising representatives of matatu, boda boda and tuk tuk operators and county transport officers to resolve the matter. “We acknowledge congestion caused by boda bodas, tuk tuks and matatus in this town, and I have given the committee 14 days to come up with recommendations that will lead to a solution,” said Maina.