Kitui county has partnered with driving schools to reduce fatal accidents by bringing sanity and professionalism in the boda boda industry.
Government officials last weekend concluded the vetting and selection of 720 untrained boda boda riders who will be trained on motor-cycle riding, road safety and traffic rules and issued with smart driving licences.
“We want to see boda boda accidents reduced significantly by ending rogueness in the industry. That way, boda boda riders, pillion passengers and pedestrian will be safe from accidents,” said county official Joshua Mutembei on Thursday.
Mutembei who is the director of administration in the department of roads, public works and transport said the county wants to see disciplined and law-abiding riders.
The officer spoke to the media after touring Mwingi north sub-county in Kitui as he monitored the exercise to vet and identify riders who will be considered for training.
He said the area governor, Julius Malombe, recognises the boda boda sector as a key economic driver. He added that ahead of his election, the governor promised to take care of the welfare of boda boda riders and reduce accidents by professionalising the sector.
“We are implementing Governor Malombe’s pre-election manifesto. He pledged to take care of the welfare of the boda boda riders and inculcate discipline to guarantee their safety and that of their pillion passengers,” said Mutembei.
He said in the initial phase of the training, 18 riders from each of the 40 wards in Kitui will be involved, thus making a total of 720. They will be trained on perfect riding, safety and the need to don protective gear, he added.
