Disabled tricycle operators struggle in rough and tumble of business

By Isaiah Lucheli

It is scorching hot and dusty in Busia town and the border crossing into Uganda, as always, is thriving with business, both legal and illicit.

Physically disabled tricycle taxi operators sit patiently waiting for customers with luggage to be ferried to Uganda.

A few years ago, only bicycle taxi operators dominated the business, earning them the boda boda tag because of criss-crossing the border ferrying people and goods.

But now, men and women with disabilities have ventured into the trade with their tricycle taxi services, competing for business with their able bodied counterparts.

And they have been stealing a big chunk of business from the boda boda cyclists because traders trust them more with their cargo. The tricycles also carry bigger loads than bicycles.

Ms Jennifer Ajwang’, a mother of two, is an outstanding example on the cross border transport of people with disabilities.

She calls out in a shrill voice for passengers and often has loyal customers.

Unique

Her tricycle is unique as it is designed to carry luggage beneath the seat and can carry up to 50 kgs of cargo.

After the luggage is loaded, she peddles towards the border crossing, raising a trail of soft dust in her wake.

Chairman of BPDO Wanguja Yakhaya says the business has also attracted physically disabled people from Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda.

Mr Yakhaya says the organisation has 50 members who operate tricycles across the Busia border.

"It helps make them self-reliant. None of our members begs for a living. They are doing good business," he says.

But Yakhaya says they experience many challenges in the course of their duties ranging from police harassment to poor road infrastructure.

Loggerheads with police

"Whereas bicycles can easily manoeuvre in very narrow spaces, for us it is different. We need wider space for our tricycles. This is what has put us at loggerheads with the police

"They refuse to open the entrance gate at the border for us when we are transporting luggage. This has greatly hampered our efforts to earn income," said Yakhaya.

The police, he explained, force them to use potholed routes and they are also heavily frisked and at times detained for long periods on suspicion of carrying contraband goods.

Yakhaya said there are three check points at the border but added that the police at times deny them entrance on flimsy grounds.

"The police at times beat us or even deflate the tyres of our tricycles, paralysing our services on claims that we are dealing in illegal business," said Yakhaya.

However, Busia OCPD Paul Kariuki said the organisation had not formally complained over the alleged harassment.

"I am not aware of such complaints, but I will look into the matter. I also urge the organisation members to report any form of harassment by my officers," said Mr Kariuki.

The OCPD said the border was open for taxi operators and wondered why his officers could block them from carrying out their businesses.

He, however, told the taxi operators that they must comply with all border regulations and those found dealing in contraband goods would not be spared.

The tricycle operators also buy goods and sell them in the neighbouring country to earn extra income.

Border trade

They buy processed goods and sell them in Uganda. They also buy farm produce from the neighbouring country and sell it back home.

"We also engage in micro business to earn extra income. This has greatly assisted us," said Mr Abubakar Juma.

Juma said the booming cross- border business had motivated him to settle in Busia and he was able to fend for his family.

Failure by governments in the East African region to address issues affecting people with disabilities has forced us to compete with the able-bodied people.

"We have to depend on ourselves to acquire wheelchairs," said Juma.

He added that many physically disabled people were neglected and lived in abject poverty in their homes.

"The price of purchasing a tricycle like the one I am using is more than USh300,000. How many people with disabilities can afford such money?" he asked.

The tricycle operators appeal to the Kenya and Uganda governments to address the poor state of roads.

"The roads are bad. They are heavily potholed and in dire need for urgent repair. We believe we would be able to carry out brisk business if they are improved," said Ajwang.

Levy waiver

They also appealed for waivers of levies charged to enable them compete favourably in the market with others.

"Our physical condition hampers us from carrying out business transactions as briskly as normal people and if they can waive the levies and other stringent conditions, business would be more favourable to us," added Ajwang.

On security, they appealed to the police to stop being high handed and called for a more civilised way of handling the operators.

"It was not our choice to be disabled and it is very inhuman when police harass and even block us from carrying business on flimsy grounds," said Yakhaya.

He explained that many of the members of the disabled group had families to fend for and children to educate and urged the two governments to address their plight.

"The life challenges experienced by other people are the same, but for us, the disability has aggravated the situation and we are appealing for help," added Yakhaya.