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{
    "id": 477545,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/477545/?format=api",
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    "content": "(iii) Enhancing the economic status of traders who sell that mode of transport in the economy. Secondly, the Member sought to know the plans the Government has put in place to ensure that all the Kenyans whose livelihoods depend on the boda boda business are able to acquire the necessary riding license to operate and to stop the alleged harassment of the boda boda operators by the police in the pretext of enforcement of the law. (i) Currently, all boda boda riders are expected to undergo training in licenced driving institutions. They are required to acquire riding licences before they can be allowed to ride. The riding licenses are issued by the Road Transport Department offices located in various parts of the country. They are available to any qualified rider. However, many riders currently operate without proper training and, therefore, without riders licences, thus placing the lives of the people they transport at risk. (ii) The Government gazetted Legal Notice No.173 of 2nd December, 2009 which, among other things, requires that riders have rider’s licences, helmets and reflector jackets. They must also provide helmets and reflector jackets to the passengers they carry. The motor cycles must also be insured. (iii) The police have a responsibility of enforcing all traffic laws and, therefore, their work should not be treated as harassment to boda boda riders. Currently, boda boda riders are some of the leading causes of accidents in our country as statistics have shown. The National Transport and Safety Authority will partner with the police to enforce those traffic laws among the riders. Many boda boda operators operate in total disregard of the existing laws. This is demonstrated in over-loading and dangerous riding. Some bodaboda operators are also reported to be involved in criminal activities, which the police have the mandate to deal with. However, the Government is committed to ensuring that this mode of transport is well regulated. The county governments are expected to play a leading role because licensing and regulating boda boda operations fall under their mandate. (iv) The last question was the plan being taken to ensure that travelers using this means of transport are safe. In order to ensure that the use of boda boda is safe and secure, the Government will continue to enforce the existing laws with a view to apprehending and prosecuting those found to be violating the law. Additionally, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) in collaboration with the industry stakeholders are in the process of developing the curriculum for training, testing and licensing of boda boda riders. The proposed curriculum will give clear guidelines on training and licencing of riders. The NTSA will arrange with selected driving schools to offer training of riders at a cheaper rate. The NTSA will work closely with the county governments and other actors in road safety with a view to creating awareness to bodaboda operators. Arrangements will also be made to collaborate with established driving schools to provide training to boda boda operators at a subsidized rate. On the economic value of motor cycle boda boda business in a nutshell, in June, 2006, the Minister for Finance reduced the duties for motor cycles from 25 per cent to 10 per cent. In the case of bicycles, duty was completely removed. From July, 2006 the population of boda bodas and motor cycles has increased. In the case of motorcycles, the increase is from 6,690 units registered as at December, 2006 to 125,058 registered by December, 2013. Cumulatively, during the same period, the The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}