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{
    "id": 1446265,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1446265/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 162,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Okiya Omtatah",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "to have the State erect a monument of the unknown first boda rider in Busia, where bodaboda originated. Secondly, many people, including youngsters, have ventured in this industry. However, for me, the main challenge is the training. Many boda boda riders do not have licenses. I do not know if they are called riding or driving licenses, but they do not have them. There is an impact of the absence of licenses on public health through injury and death. As a public health measure, I would request that the State step forward to underwrite or subsidize the training of motorcycle riders across the country. Poverty should not be an excuse for not having a driving or riding license. It will not be a waste of public funds. This is because the recovery in terms of prevention of what otherwise becomes medical care or burial expenses for the victims of the accidents would be much less than the money required to equip and train these people to be efficient riders on the road. This country also needs to seriously realize that it is not only people who drive motor vehicles who pay taxes. Therefore, there is no justification for building roads only for people who drive motor vehicles. We must build roads for pedestrians and cyclists. The fact that boda boda riders have to struggle and fight for space on roads used by four-wheeled vehicles is in itself not a good thing. One of the reasons why many fatalities of motor vehicle and motorcycle collisions occur is because of lack of space for the riders. We need to come up with road designs and build roads for all taxpayers, including those who cannot afford motor vehicles, but walk on foot. For example, in Nairobi along Mbagathi Way, every morning and evening, some people walk from Kibra and Kawangware estates to Industrial Area. However, they do not have a place to walk. They keep on struggling on the edge of the road. Occasionally, some are knocked down by motor vehicles. This is something that needs to be addressed. As I said, road design must be inclusive. One of the national values of this country as provided for in Article 10 of our Constitution is inclusivity. Furthermore, as much as boda bodas are important, we must accept the fact that Nairobi cannot continue being run by them. It requires a proper public transport system. I have never gone to any serious country where a capital city runs on boda boda like in Nairobi. We need to get a proper public transport system in Nairobi. It is a strategic requirement. It cannot wait because public transport is a key component of human resource. Our human resources need to move freely and easily. We must not wait to modernize motorcycles. Let it be a stopgap measure. However, going forward, cities must be weaned off the need to rely on motorcycles and the likes. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I have a small problem with Clause13(1)(d). It says- “Every passenger on a two-wheeled motorcycle shall sit astride in the seat fixed behind the rider's seat.” That statement has cultural implications. In some areas, our sisters may not be comfortable sitting astride on a motorcycle, unless we are going to insist that they wear The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only.A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and Audio Services,Senate."
}