Uasin Gishu Boda Boda Operators Receive Key Training and Licensing

Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County – In a significant move to professionalize and legalize the operations of boda boda (motorcycle taxi) operators, the Kenya Roads Board (KRB), in collaboration with the Uasin Gishu County government and partners like the Kenya Red Cross, has facilitated a comprehensive training and licensing program. This initiative aims to integrate over 1,000 boda boda operators into the formal economy, ensuring they adhere to traffic laws and contribute positively to the local community.

According to Kenya News Agency, who spoke during the program’s launch at the Eldoret Sports Club, the boda boda sector is a major employment avenue for the county’s youth, involving over 20,000 individuals. This initiative not only legalizes their operations but also emphasizes the importance of traffic rule adherence for safety and order on the roads.

The training program, culminating in the licensing of 1,000 operators, represents a critical effort in enhancing the legitimacy and professionalism of the boda boda sector, which plays a crucial role in local logistics and household economics. Governor Chelilim underscored the need for operators to follow the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) regulations strictly to reduce traffic-related incidents.

Dr. Chelilim highlighted the county’s commitment to supporting the boda boda sector, noting the reduction of monthly sticker fees to ease financial burdens and encourage compliance. Furthermore, the county’s infrastructure development efforts include road quality improvements and the construction of dedicated boda boda shades for operators’ comfort and safety.

The introduction of e-mobility, particularly the shift towards electric motorcycles, was also discussed as a future-oriented strategy to enhance the sector’s sustainability. The governor encouraged operators to engage in cooperative models, which have shown significant benefits in terms of financial empowerment and business expansion, citing the Kibagenge Boda Boda Cooperative Society as a successful case study.

This program is seen as a pivotal step towards not only enhancing the boda boda sector’s service quality and safety standards but also fostering economic growth and reducing crime rates in the county, aligning with its aspirations for city status.