Take action on rogue boda boda riders

Reports show that each year 3,000 people die on Kenyan roads and the number of accidents is on the increase.

Most of the accidents are blamed on dangerous driving by motorists and pedestrians have also been accused of failure to follow traffic rules causing accidents.

The number of motocycles has doubled, taking business space that was occupied by non-motorised bicycles in both rural and urban centres. To curb this menace, a number of counties have incorporated safety measures including construction of separate lanes for motorclyes.

While national and county governments have made some efforts, the culture of boda boda operators is wanting. Both the enforcers and the operators have to be blamed in equal terms. On some highways, it is not uncommon to find overloaded boda bodas, running on worn-out tyres and driving without a licence or insurance.

If the laws have to be observed, the public, the police and users need to be on the look out on such dangerous practices. More still, the national and county governments should initiate training programmes for the boda boda riders. Key facilitators should include the traffic police and the highways authority.