Makueni County Commissioner (CC) Khalif Abdulahi has challenged boda boda riders in the county to ensure they understand their insurance policies to protect themselves from financial shocks in case of accidents, theft or other eventualities.
Abdulahi reminded the riders that having insurance does not automatically guarantee compensation for every loss, urging them to familiarise themselves with the terms and conditions, limits of liability, exclusions, benefits and responsibilities of policyholders, as well as procedures for reporting incidents and submitting claims.
“As a policyholder, understand what your policy covers, what is excluded, when accidents occur, when motorcycles are stolen and who to contact when making a claim,” said Abdulahi while addressing 100 boda boda riders at Wote Technical Training Institute in Makueni Sub-County on Tuesday.
“Having insurance does not mean that every loss will automatically be compensated. Understand the terms and conditions, limits of liability, exclusions and benefits,” he warned.
The CC was speaking during the official launch of a three-day sensitisation engagement forum dubbed “PCFMtaani”, organised by the Policyholders Compensation Fund (PCF) in the county.
Abdulahi noted that boda boda transport was an important component of Makueni’s economy, providing transport for people, goods, food, medicine and other essential items within communities.
“Boda boda is a business. Protect your life, protect your motorcycle, protect your income and your future,” he said.
The administrator also warned the riders against allowing themselves to be used as goons or instruments of political violence, saying such involvement could expose them to danger and negatively affect their businesses.
He reminded them that they had a right to participate in lawful political activities, attend political meetings, support candidates and express their political opinions peacefully.
“As citizens, you have a right to participate in lawful political activities, attend political meetings, support political candidates and express political opinions. Do not allow yourselves to be used as goons and instruments of political violence,” Abdulahi advised.
Speaking at the same forum, PCF Deputy Director, Corporate Communications, Rosemary Kavili, said many boda boda riders did not have insurance and urged them to insure their motorcycles to enable them to receive assistance when an insured eventuality occurred.
Kavili disclosed that PCF pays a maximum of Sh500,000 to a claimant, depending on the applicable circumstances.
The sensitisation forum is part of PCF’s efforts to create awareness among different groups on insurance and policyholder compensation.
PCF has so far sensitised the media and boda boda riders, with matatu operators scheduled for Wednesday, insurance agents on Thursday, and Deputy County Commissioners, chiefs, women, youth, persons with disabilities, religious leaders and Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), among other groups, on Friday.
By Patrick Nyakundi
