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{
    "id": 1446278,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1446278/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 175,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Osotsi",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13588,
        "legal_name": "Osotsi Godfrey Otieno",
        "slug": "osotsi-godfrey-otieno"
    },
    "content": "I congratulate my colleague, Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale for coming up with this Bill because it will address the problem that we have in this sector. We need to make the bodaboda industry a meaningful employment industry, not an industry that will take advantage of our youth or cause deaths, injuries and enable crime. Therefore, this Bill addresses all those challenges. Just like the Senator for Busia said, there are a few areas that we should consider amending. One of the areas is on Clause 5, which talks about the board. You do not see the representation of boda boda owners and riders in the composition of the board. It is largely composed of county officials. I would propose that we have representation of the riders and the owners. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, whereas I support the idea of the board, this also exposes the question we have all been asking. What is the use of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) on matters of managing accidents in this country and the transport sector? The NTSA has completely failed. They should have been at the forefront of helping this country deal with the problems in the boda boda industry, especially on licensing, safety and everything else. However, they have failed boda bodas on public transport and it is not serving the purpose that it was established for. I, therefore, support the creation of this board. At the same time, the Bill needs to tell how these board will be financed. It is silent on that. Where is the money meant to run this board will come from? This is so that we do not have a scenario where the board now becomes an institution that will fine our boda bodas or introduce extraneous levies and make the industry more expensive to run and even send more of our youth out of employment. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, that aspect of how it will be financed must be very clear in the Bill, so that they do not run rogue and start introducing unreasonable levies and charges to our boda bodas. This Bill has given reflection on the relationship between the owner and the rider under Clause 14(1). It says- “Every owner of a motorcycle who engages the services of a rider shall enter into a written employment contract with the rider.” It goes on to specify on what will be contained in the employment agreement. This is one area that has to be looked at very keenly so that it is easy for owners of motorcycles to continue operating in this industry. This is so that salaries or any other benefits that accrue to the rider are manageable because if we leave it hanging like that, the danger will be in the terms in the Employment Act, which may be difficult for most owners to comply. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, there are issues of medical insurance, minimum wage and all that. For us to encourage investment in this sector we need to look at those issues. The Bill also talks about motorcycle ambulances that will be equipped with medical equipment and supplies. This will be very useful, especially in the rural areas, where we have problems with the road network and accessibility and yet, our people need to access medical care. So, I fully support that. 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."
}