Kitui County is partnering with driving schools to reduce fatal accidents by bringing sanity and professionalism to the boda boda industry.
Government officials last weekend completed the screening and selection of 720 untrained boda boda riders who will be trained in how to ride a motorbike, road safety and traffic rules, and issued with smart driving licenses.
“We hope to significantly reduce boda-injury accidents by eliminating misconduct in the industry. Boda boda passengers, passengers and pedestrians will then be protected from accidents,” the county said. Official Joshua Muthembei said on Thursday.
Muthembei, the administrative director for the Department of Roads, Public Works and Transport, said the county is looking for disciplined and law-abiding riders.
The officer spoke to the media after touring Mwingi North sub-county in Kitui where he was monitoring training to vet and identify riders for training.
The region's governor, Julius Malombe, said he recognized the boda boda sector as a key economic driver. He added that the governor had promised ahead of the election to look after the welfare of boda boda users and reduce accidents by professionalizing the sector.
“We are implementing Governor Malombe’s pre-election manifesto. He promised to look after the welfare of boda boda passengers and inculcate discipline to ensure the safety of them and their fellow passengers,” Mthembei said. said.
He said that in the initial phase of the training, 18 riders from each of Kitui's 40 districts will participate, making the total number 720. They will be trained on perfect riding, safety and the need to wear protective equipment, it added. .
