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{
    "id": 1446325,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1446325/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 222,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Lemaletian",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "I remember the other day when we went to Kigali in Rwanda for the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) games, we all witnessed how disciplined the boda boda riders in Kigali are. That is one thing that we admired as Kenyans, and I am sure the Ugandans too. I know that our boda boda youth have borne the brunt of our tough economic conditions spanning over several Government regimes and several years and decades. Some of these problems are increased by taxation. It is safe to say that these people are depressed while riding this boda bodas, not only because of the high taxation, but the economic condition. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, while we were campaigning in the last election, I remember I had a meeting with the Chairperson of the Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya (BAK) and one of the saddest problems that we also need to look at as leaders was the fact that there is a higher purchase company that has monopolized the acquisition of boda boda in this country. The carelessness you see on the roads is because these young people -the youth - make so little from this boda boda business, and at the end of the day, they still have to pay the higher purchase rate contributions. I think they pay it daily until the date it is cleared. We all know that in higher purchase, you always end up paying more than you would if you were paying in cash. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, we also need to jump into that as leaders. Unfortunately, I know this Bill might not address that, but this is something that we need to look at. The Bill recommends licensing for each boda boda operator, ensuring that each operator and the passenger they are carrying have protective gear, and can only carry one person at a time. Training is also compulsory, but my recommendation would be to include civic education in the training. The Bill recommends a hefty punishment for those boda boda operators who get into mob justice once they have been attacked or wronged by other road users, and usually there is torching of vehicles. It is important that they are educated on their rights as citizens, so that they can pursue justice through the legal means. As leaders, we should ensure that they are not harassed or oppressed. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I have seen that there is a recommendation to have a board that should be headed by a chair who is appointed by the governor. We need these young people to participate on the table that makes decisions concerning their businesses and their lives. I would recommend that the Senator adjust that to make sure that the chair of the board is elected by the people, instead of being appointed by the governor. That will cushion it from political interference, such as the governor electing someone who would favour them, and maybe in the next regime, they will have to again be disarranged or something of the sort. Kindly take note of that. Lastly, my other recommendation would be to ensure that we make it mandatory in the Bill for every county to have a stage for the boda boda operators where they can park. This has been necessitated through a visit I had with the Standing Committee on Devolution and Inter-Governmental Relations to Vihiga and Bungoma Counties three 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."
}