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{
    "id": 65719,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/65719/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 200,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Wamalwa",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 148,
        "legal_name": "Eugene Ludovic Wamalwa",
        "slug": "eugene-wamalwa"
    },
    "content": "Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, I also indicated that there have been rising cases of accidents involving boda boda operators and many of our wards, whether it is at the Kitale District Hospital, Kisumu or Naivasha, are full of women and children who have been injured in those accidents. In fact, we have boda boda wards in almost every town now. We are also emphasizing that boda bodas have been a source of employment for many young Kenyans. Many unemployed young Kenyans have resorted to buying bicycles and motorcycles to earn their daily bread. I also indicated that the Government, after all these years, has not come up with a policy to regulate and address the plight facing the boda boda operators. When we look at the problems that are facing other countries in the north, particularly Egypt, Tunisia and other countries in the Arab world, we do find that one thing that has caused the riots and the problems is unemployment. Other causes are the rising cost of living, poverty, corruption in the systems and not addressing issues affecting the youth who are the majority in all the populations across the countries of Africa and beyond. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, the time has come when this Government should come up with a clear policy to address the problems facing boda boda drivers of Kenya. This is not a favour that we are asking for the young people of this country. Under Article 55 of the Constitution, this is provided for in very clear terms. It says:- “The State shall take measures, including affirmative action programmes, to ensure that the youth- (a) access relevant education and training; (b) have opportunities to associate, be represented and participate in political, social, economic and other spheres of life; (c) the youth have access to employment; and (d) are protected from harmful cultural practices and exploitation.” We, as a nation, have time and again promised that we will create 500,000 jobs. We promised this during the NARC days. Through very flowery manifestos, we have undertaken to provide employment to the youth of this country, but we have not been able to do so. However, the youth by themselves have resorted to what they could do best and started this system of transport which is both motorized and non-motorized. They are actually helping many poor Kenyans. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, this House will recall that in the Integrated Baseline Household Survey carried out in 2006/07, it was established that close to 50 per cent of Kenyans live below the poverty line. They earn less than a dollar a day. The majority of those living below the poverty line are actually young people. They are these"
}