Nairobi: More than 100 boda boda riders from Maragua constituency, Murang’a County, have received professional training and electronic licenses to improve road safety.
According to Kenya News Agency, the initiative, sponsored by the Maragua NG-CDF in partnership with Petanns driving school, also aims to reduce constant arrests by police officers and help riders comply with transport regulations. Speaking at Wathiani grounds during the issuance of the smart licenses, Maragua Member of Parliament Mary Wamaua noted that the programme was introduced four years ago after realizing that many operators lacked licenses and riding skills, exposing them to danger and frequent confrontations with police.
“This initiative empowers our young people to earn a living safely and confidently. We are supporting them not only with licenses, but also with insurance covers, helmets, and reflectors because we want our riders to be safe, professional, and self-reliant,” she said. Wamaua observed that most riders acquire their motorcycles on credit, leaving them with little income to sustain themselves and that such formal training helps them improve their earnings. “When riders follow the law and operate within the required standards, they can expand their businesses without fear of police harassment,” she added.
Among the 105 newly licensed riders is Nancy Mwangi, who operates in the David Kangangu area of Maragua Sub-County. She revealed that lack of a license had previously confined her to rural areas for fear of arrest. “Every time customers asked me to take them to Kabati or Kenol, I would decline because I risked being caught by police,” she said. “This affected my income, but with this license, I can now ride freely and even go all the way to Thika without fear,” she continued. Mwangi, who earns around Sh800 per day, said she now feels more confident and proud to be a compliant road user.
Another beneficiary, William Maingi, who operates along the Makuyu-Wathiani route, admitted that before training, he had relied on instincts to navigate the roads, which nearly cost him his life on several occasions. “I didn’t know basic road rules and have narrowly escaped many accidents in the past,” he said, adding, “Now I understand how to ride safely and respect other road users.” James Kimani, a rider from Igikiro, narrated how constant police chases made his work risky and stressful. “Once, I ran from police officers in Makuyu, but they caught up with me and demanded Sh5,000,” he said. “That was too much for me, yet I have a family to support. I’m glad this programme has saved us from such unpleasant situations,” he added.
According to the MP, last year another 600 riders benefited from the same training, bringing the total to more than 700 trained operators under the constituency’s initiative. The National Road Safety Action Plan 2024-2028, launched last year, indicates that Kenya has 2.5 million registered motorcycle users, with 1.8 million actively operating on the roads. The Action Plan aims to reduce road accidents, which have continued to devastate families and communities. It is estimated that road carnage costs the Kenyan economy Sh450 billion annually.
Boda boda riders, who earn an average of Sh1,000 per day, collectively contribute about Sh1 billion daily, accounting for 3.4 percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2022. Additionally, 75 per cent of the riders are youth who purchase fuel worth Sh300 million daily, generating Sh60 billion annually in government revenue. However, the sector continues to face challenges, including a 58 per cent decline in motorbike sales in 2023, which was attributed to the high cost of living and a surge in fuel prices rising from Sh142 per litre in 2022 to Sh182 in 2023.
Despite these challenges, the Maragua NG-CDF training programme is giving hope to riders like Mwangi, who are now optimistic about more dignified, safer and sustainable livelihoods.