 has undertaken training of boda-boda operators in Meru County in its effort to bolster road safety awareness and education nationwide. At least 300 bodaboda operators have benefited from the training that is taking place at Mwiteria Chief’s campground in the Imenti North constituency.){kind=link}
Kenya Roads Board (KRB) has undertaken training of boda-boda operators in Meru County in its effort to bolster road safety awareness and education nationwide. At least 300 bodaboda operators have benefited from the training that is taking place at Mwiteria Chief’s campground in the Imenti North constituency. According to KRB officials, the Board’s broader corporate social responsibility involves road safety programmes that help boda boda riders in reducing carnage in the country.
KRB has collaborated with the Automobile Association of Kenya (AAK) to conduct the training. Kenya Red Cross (KRC) is also training and issuing them with driving licences, a training that will take one and a half months. “Our aim is to reach a bigger number of bodaboda riders in all counties and enhance their skills on road safety”, said Victor Odula.
John Barasa the chairman of bodaboda riders in Meru County lauded the move by the two entities saying the sensitisation will help enhance the operators’ work and enhance safety on Kenya roads. Barasa noted that in Meru County there are more than 40,000 bodaboda riders where the bigger number of the riders are not trained and have no licences, the trained will be the ambassadors of the rest.
Imenti North sub-county police commander Ezekiel Chepkwony expressed his concern on how the riders operate in various roads saying they lack that knowledge and skills. He said his office is working closely with the bodaboda riders by holding regular sensitization meetings with the riders regarding road safety and requirements such as insurance, proper riding gears and serviceable motorbikes. He added that bodaboda riders have been on the high note of information security agencies of any insecurity alert.
According to reports, 25% of deaths on Kenyan roads are bodaboda related with over 1,200 cases last year. Authorities say these deaths and accidents can be avoided if road users get the training and play their part well.
Source: NTV Kenya