Taita Taveta County Government and the National Public Transport Alliance (NAPTA) have agreed to partner on reforms aimed at modernising the public transport system and improving road safety, amid increasing reliance on boda boda services across the county.
The move comes as motorcycle taxis remain the dominant form of public transport in many rural and urban areas of Taita Taveta, where access to conventional public service vehicles is limited by road connectivity and long travel distances between settlements.
The sector has grown into a key enabler of local mobility and small-scale trade but continues to face safety and regulatory challenges.
National road safety data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has consistently shown that motorcycles are involved in a significant proportion of road traffic fatalities and serious injuries in Kenya, prompting renewed calls for structured reforms in the public transport sub-sector.
The partnership was reached during an introductory meeting between NAPTA officials led by Executive Director Charles Acholi and county leaders headed by Deputy Governor Christine Saru Kilalo.
Kilalo said the county is prioritizing safe, efficient, and accessible public transport systems to enhance economic activity while addressing safety concerns within the sector.
She noted that boda boda operators play a critical role in filling public transport gaps but stressed the need for stronger safety interventions.
“The reason why we build the public transport sector is to make it easy for people to access economic opportunities and move their goods to areas of demand. While the boda boda sub-sector has plugged into that gap, our biggest concern is safety. So when someone comes and talks about public transport safety, that is something we can all embrace in this county and the nation,” she said.
NAPTA Executive Director Charles Acholi said the organisation is developing a model aimed at modernising public transport systems in Taita Taveta County, with potential for replication in other counties.
“We are in the process of exploring how to modernise our fleet in Taita Taveta County to make it a model in public transport provision,” he said.
County Executive Committee Member for Transport, Martin Tairo, said the current legal and institutional framework governing public transport requires strengthening to improve enforcement and coordination.
He said the county has established a transport safety committee under the NTSA framework, but its implementation has been constrained by limited resources.
“The Transport Act we have is not strong enough, so we need to strengthen it. We have also created a county transport safety committee under the NTSA Act, which exists but is not fully implemented due to lack of proper resources,” Tairo said.
County Chief Officer for Transport, Rina Mwanake, said ongoing spatial planning offers an opportunity to integrate modern public transport solutions, including e-mobility systems and improved pedestrian infrastructure.
She said the partnership aligns with the county’s long-term development plans and will support structured public transport planning and implementation.
“The advantage we have in Taita Taveta County is that we are in the final stages of spatial planning, so NAPTA’s idea is timely in terms of e-mobility, pedestrian systems, and ensuring everyone is onboard throughout implementation,” she said.
The county is expected to develop an implementation framework outlining policy direction, system upgrades, and capacity-building measures for stakeholders within the public transport sector.
By Arnold Linga Masila
