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{
    "id": 1282362,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1282362/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 408,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Moiben, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Phylis Bartoo",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to add my voice to this Motion brought by Hon. Emaase on the issue of targeted killings of bodaboda. Bodaboda is a big constituency in Kenya and it plays an important role. It is unfortunate that such atrocities are meted on these very important members of the society. The habit of the so-called shylocks who purport to loan bodaboda money yet follow them to take away their motor bikes is a bad practice. Motor bikes are their source of livelihood. They run a 24-hour economy in most spaces that they occupy. They do that to fend for their families. They pay school fees and put food on the table for their families. They support the Kenyan economy. It is unfortunate when they are killed the way it has happened in Teso. This problem is not only on that part of Kenya. It is a problem in the entire country. I propose that this industry be supported. Bodaboda should be in saccos so that they can access a genuine source of capital to buy motor bikes. They should also be provided with a clean working environment. For example, most bodaboda in my constituency operate in open spaces. They do not have shelter and in case it rains, they are rained on. They do not have social amenities like washrooms. So, in line with regulating and trying to improve their livelihoods, such issues should be addressed. We should also look at their medical insurance. When they are involved in accidents, some of them do not have a provision for medical cover. They end up being frustrated. In some hospitals in Kenya, there are specific wards where injured bodaboda men and women are kept and left at the mercy of their families to go and fund raise to pay for their medication. Therefore, the Government should ensure that the bodaboda industry is insured so that bodaboda riders benefit like teachers and any other civil servant in Kenya because they play a very important role. I hope this debate will not end here. It should escalate to a higher level like a Bill so that this industry is regularised in a structured way. The bodaboda sector is a big industry. It is a constituency. I am sure some of the Members in this House were beneficiaries of bodaboda for their elective seats. We had situations where some Members used the bodaboda riders to secure seats in Parliament. I urge Hon. Emaase to take this Motion to the next level so that something bigger comes out of it. Thank you."
}