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"speaker_name": "Sen. (Dr.) Khalwale",
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"legal_name": "Bonny Khalwale",
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"content": "Thank you, I appreciate that. I remember some of our colleagues used to make us, Members from Busia, Kakamega, Vihiga and Bungoma, a laughing stock because we used bicycles to carry people. In 2004, President Mwai Kibaki, in his legendary simplicity, zero-rated importation of motorbikes. So, people migrated from bicycles to motorbikes. Thanks to that, as I speak, we have created employment for three million boda boda riders. The three million boda boda riders support five million people in this industry, which generates over Kshs4.5 billion to our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Sen. Mungatana, we need to polish this law because this industry is no longer a joke; it is a huge enterprise. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I, therefore, want to take the imagination of this House further. Arising from what I read in the Finance Bill, where the President had introduced the issue of manufacturing boda bodas and spare parts in this country, that is the route we should go. If we do our own spare parts, with this kind of market, it is going to expand the economy of the boda boda industry even further. It is important that we embrace this Bill because we have now put it in black and white. On the issue of the safety of our riders, passengers and other road users, this Bill is going to streamline and bring order in this industry when applied strictly. The riders must be taught how to observe the Highway Code. It is amazing. Even in Nairobi, it is very scary. While driving and keeping left, it is common to see a boda boda rider coming in front of you. When you look at him, it is like he does not realise he is making a mistake by riding on the right. When you honk at him, he shows you the middle finger. They are very difficult young people. We must bring order. A boda boda rider should only carry one passenger at a time to reduce excessive weight that could make them more prone to accidents. We should also limit the number of passengers in a tuktuk, a three-wheeled motorcycle, and prescribe the size of the luggage. This Bill is going to make this industry crime-free. I appeal to my young colleague, Sen. Chimera, that the tracking device is a safety tool because we also have other unscrupulous boda boda riders who disappear with school girls or luggage. If there is a tracker, you are able to know where that motorcycle is. This is not a strange thing because some credit providers track their motorbikes. So,"
}