Ruto unveils plan to mainstream boda boda sector

The government is committed to reforming the boda boda business and stopping its criminalisation, President William Ruto has said.

The President said this at the launch of a plan to formalise the sector that employs over 1.2 million Kenyans, according to a World Bank report.

Besides organising them in Saving and Credit Cooperative Organisations (Saccos), Ruto said the exercise will also include the administration of continuous training and maintenance of a database of operators.

This, he explained, will provide the government with a platform to improve the well-being of boda boda operators.

"We will work with all stakeholders to ensure the training and licensing of boda boda riders does not exceed Sh2,500," said President Ruto said during the launch of the Boda Boda Empowerment Programme at KICC.

The Head of State said formalising the sector will also facilitate access to affordable credit through the Hustler Fund.

He noted that the programme's initial phase will train 200,000 riders selected from all 47 counties.

The training will entail road safety, traffic regulations, accident management, entrepreneurship and financial management.

The President also said the government is reducing taxes on electric motorbike parts to reduce the cost of the final product and encourage its uptake.