Boda boda riders cautioned on traffic rules

Boda boda operators in Bomet County have been admonished to observe traffic rules and regulations as a way of bringing sanity to the industry and safety to all road users.

Bomet deputy county commissioner Mr. Henry Metto while addressing the riders at Silibwet on Saturday said observing traffic rules to the letter will reduce loss of lives through freak accidents that could be avoided.

Mr. Metto directed that for the riders to operate they should have a valid driving licenses, 2 helmets, reflectors, insurance covers and parking stickers.

“We cannot afford to lose your life in the name of giving you time to have these things, so do what you can to get them because we cannot compromise on life issues.” he said.

The meeting convened by the Bomet Chapter of Boda boda Association chairman Mr. Alexander Rono, was used as a benchmark for the riders to enable them discuss and understand what can help them operate within the law.

The commissioner told the riders to ensure that they had all the required documents or stay out of business.

Governor Isaac Ruto who graced the occasion on his way to another function in the area told the riders that taxes must be paid if they expect to receive recognition from both national and county governments.

“My government is charging boda boda operators a fee of Sh. 5 as taxes daily irrespective of the distance of their routes as opposed to Sh. 20 they used to pay to the defunct local authorities at every taxation point of their routes,” he said.

Mr. Ruto said the Sh. 5 taxes was fair and told them to ensure that the amount was paid so that his government could provide essential services to them.

He advised them to consult with the relevant government departments instead of engaging on demonstrations whenever they want their issues to be addressed.

“My administration will look into the concerns you have raised here today and ensure that they are addressed conclusively to avoid you losing your daily income.” He told them.

Mr. Rono the association chair, pleaded with the governor to look into possibilities of footing trade licenses that was expensive to most of the riders and requested both national and county governments to relax the new traffic rules, and give the riders more time to comply with the regulations.

He argued that the new regulations were giving more financial burden to the riders who most of them were facing various traffic offences at the law courts and were required to pay more than Sh. 15, 000 in fines.

However, commissioner Metto told them they would not be paying such fines if they were operating within the confines of the requisite regulations.

The riders were given up to 2nd August 2016 to comply with the regulations or avoid transport business as they will be arrested and charged for breaching traffic rules.