Boda boda operators in Kilifi North constituency are relieved after a parliamentary aspirant paid their driving license fees amounting to Sh15 million.
Amani Mkare of Pamoja African Alliance party associated with Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi said he wants ensure all operators in the constituency have driving licenses.
During the ceremony held in Mkwajuni grounds in Kilifi town, Mkare said he had first taken 200 riders from the seven wards who will do the driving course at Unik Driving College.
He said the boda boda riders will also be assisted to register in saccos to conform to the government directive.
“The sector employs thousands of youths across the country but had been portrayed as an indisciplined,"he said.
"That’s why I saw the need to sensitise them and the first thing is to ensure all operators have licenses.”
The aspirant called on all operators to observe discipline at all times to boost their image and also take the driving courses seriously.
He said once the riders obtain the licenses, he will ensure they get enrolled and registered with the National Hospital Insurance Fund which will cater for theirs and families' medical expenses.
Mkare,urged the operators to support his bid to get to parliament and vote for PAA candidates in the county so as to ensure the region sits on the negotiating table.
He said if elected,the PAA candidates from Governor to MCAs will ensure industries which stalled such as the cashew nuts industry and squatter problems will be addressed.
He said the past leadership is to blame for the challenges Kilifi and coast region is facing because they did not have their own party.
Mkare thanked Kingi for forming the coast based party saying it was one big step to enable the region get liberation.
He was accompanied by his mother and father, who is the county secretary,Arnold Mkare.
Party officials and aspirants including Nominated Senator Christine Zawadi, former Malindi MP Willy Mtengo and Ben Kai who is eyeing the senator position.
Mkare’s father said as a family they have decided to use their resources to support their son in financing key projects that would transform lives.
“The driving school was just one initiative but there were more projects which will help to change the constituency completely,"he said.
Zawadi thanked Mkare for the initiative saying it would help the boda boda operators stop being harassed by police and county government law enforcement agents.
She will vie for the woman representative position.
She said boda boda operators are poor and cannot afford to go to driving schools but since the registration fee was removed they should alll go for tarining.
Mtengo on called on Kilifi residents and the coastal communities to support PAA as it would give the county and region more bargaining power nationally.
(Edited by Francis Wadegu)
