Busia: Busia law courts have supported the boda boda sector by donating sanitary towels for onwards distribution to vulnerable girls across the county. Speaking during the flagging off of the sanitary distribution exercise, Busia Chief Magistrate Edna Nyaloti highlighted the longstanding association of boda boda operators with the defilement of innocent girls, often using sanitary towels as bait. She noted that the operators have independently decided to support girls by donating pads, and the judiciary has decided to support this initiative.
According to Kenya News Agency, Nyaloti urged other stakeholders to collaborate and support the boda boda operators in this initiative, emphasizing its positive impact. Busia Law Court presiding judge, Justice William Musyoka, expressed gratitude to the boda boda leadership for their initiative, acknowledging defilement as a major issue in Busia County. He pointed out that prison statistics reveal most inmates are convicts of defilement, with Busia being a hot spot.
Musyoka called on operators to become ambassadors against defilement, stressing the criminal nature of the offense and the severe legal consequences for those convicted. He noted that many perpetrators are young, who should instead focus on contributing to the economy, and raised concerns about elderly individuals also engaging in such offenses.
Busia County Boda Boda Association Vice Chairman Joseph Barasa shared that the initiative started in December last year with home-to-home sanitary pad distribution, which proved costly due to the high demand. He emphasized their goal to reach all needy girls in schools across the county and improve the perception of the boda boda sector, which, like other sectors, creates employment.
Barasa also highlighted the importance of discouraging young boys from dropping out of school to join the sector, aiming for a more informed and responsible young generation.