Two weeks ago, someone shared a graphic picture in a WhatsApp group, of which I am a member. The picture showed an accident scene involving a bike and a trailer. The accident left three school children dead. I love two wheels.
I rode my first motorbike at the age of 17 years. I bought my first motorbike at the age of 23 and l met my wife because she wanted a ride on my bike. I live in a house where we own one car, two motorbikes and five bicycles. We are a two-wheel family.
Those children who died in the bike accident reminded me of my own; my wife and l ride every day and sometimes take our children to school on motorbikes. We never carry more than one. We follow traffic rules.
There are over a million registered motorbikes in Kenya. When l started riding, they were less than 100,000 across the whole country. Most riders followed traffic rules; you would never see a motorbike rider on the wrong side of the road, on the pavement, or even without a helmet. Most riders worked for delivery, security or Kenya Power.
They were well trained and used the roads responsibly. While motorcycles, popularly known as boda boda, are Kenya’s biggest job creator in Kenya today, they’re also leading in road accidents. Boda boda operators are in business to earn a living, just like any other nation-building citizens in this country.
As the situation is, it is evident that there is a scarcity of jobs in this country and to cover up its failure in providing employment, the government has continuously urged its citizens to venture into self-employment. I commend that.
Motorbikes have reduced the level of insecurity by ensuring the number of youths who were unemployed and were likely to get involved, or were already involved in unlawful activities now earn an honest living.
In a city like Nairobi, where roads have become parking lots, boda bodas have ensured convenience in transport, especially in the CBD, where traffic jams are the norm.
Despite heavy traffic, people get to work on time, doctors use our services to respond to emergencies, policemen use our services to fight crime, and city residents have been able to multi-task, multiplying the entire country’s economic value for time.
According to records held by NTSA there are more than 1.2 million boda boda operators in Kenya today. In 2017, they generated Sh219 billion in revenue.
The exchequer received billions of shillings in direct taxes from the motorcycle sector. 1.2 million Kenyans are directly dependent on motorcycles and thousands more, like petrol stations, puncture repairs, cushion-makers, spare-part dealers, welders and mechanics have a job because of boda bodas.
But there are some problems. Boda boda riders aren’t angels and will not tame themselves. You cannot arrest and jail over 1 million boda boda riders, but you can reform their ways.
The government should systematically and deliberately reform the boda boda sector. Arrest and confiscate the motorbike of anyone arrested riding without a license and insurance.
Enforce the traffic act; a motorbike should never have more than one passenger at a time. Boda boda’s should not be driven on the wrong side. A boda boda isn’t a toy and riders should be retrained on how to ride properly and safely.
The Ministry of Health spends billions every year treating boda boda accident victims; some county hospitals have special wards just for boda Boda riders.
That money can be saved if we ensured only licensed, sane riders are on the road. If boda boda’s started respecting other users and stopped bullying them, they will automatically get respected in return. Currently, there are more rogue riders than good ones.
County governments should recognise motorbikes as a modern mode of transportation by designating business friendly areas for their operation. Riders should be allowed to pick and drop passengers just like taxis and matatus do.
County governments, in return, can collect daily taxes from motorcycle operators. National Police Service and NTSA should work with motorbike SACCOs to help restore order and discipline among the operators and discipline law breakers.
