Authorities have intensified efforts to restore order and safety within Homa Bay town by restricting livestock movement in the CBD and markets while cracking down on boda boda riders violating traffic rules.
The county has directed livestock owners to keep cows, goats, sheep and donkeys out of the Central Business District (CBD), highways and market centres.
At the same time, boda boda riders have been ordered to strictly keep to the left when using the town’s dual carriageway.
The directives were agreed upon during a stakeholder meeting bringing together county enforcement officials, livestock owners, boda boda leaders and market representatives.
Homa Bay County Director of Enforcement and Security Services Walter Muk said livestock owners had agreed to comply with the directive as the county intensifies efforts to keep the town clean and orderly.
“We have met with the owners of the animals, and they have agreed that going forward, no animal will be allowed within the CBD, especially along the highway and market centres,” Muk said.
Livestock have for a long time been allowed to roam freely in the town and market areas, sometimes causing confusion and posing a risk to road users along the highway.
The county is also targeting road safety violations involving boda boda riders, particularly those who ride on the wrong side of the dual carriageway.
Muk said the practice was rampant along the stretch from Kodoyo Junction towards Homa Bay town, warning riders from across the county to observe traffic regulations whenever they enter the town.
He said some riders were ignorant of traffic rules, adding that county and sub-county boda boda leaders had agreed to sensitise their members on the importance of obeying traffic regulations and keeping left while using the dual carriageway.
The director noted that the push aims at restoring order, cleanliness and safety along the town’s busy streets and markets.
The county boda boda leadership is also expected to communicate the directive to riders from other sub-counties who travel to Homa Bay town.
Homa Bay County Boda Boda Association chairman Ken Ndede welcomed the initiative, saying the sector was committed to improving the safety of riders and other road users.
Ndede said boda boda leaders would work with sub-county officials to sensitise riders on the proper use of the dual carriageway.
“We have sensitised our people on the same, but some are still not taking precautions,” Ndede said, adding that he had engaged the Homa Bay sub-county leadership to ensure riders received the message.
He also appealed to leaders in other sub-counties to hold similar sensitisation meetings, particularly for riders travelling to major urban centres such as Homa Bay and Oyugis.
Authorities have also introduced measures to control the movement of motorcycles within markets in Homa Bay Municipality.
Homa Bay Municipal Market chairman Daniel Gumba said a designated parking area would be established where boda boda riders would park their motorcycles and wait for customers instead of riding through the market in search of passengers.
“We have agreed that when motorbikes come into the market, they can use the parking lot, wait for their customers and then take them to their various destinations,” Gumba said.
Gumba said riders had been riding inside the market, endangering other members of the public and creating confusion, particularly on market days when the areas become congested with shoppers.
Under the new arrangement, riders will park their motorcycles at designated points, wait for customers and only leave the market after picking up passengers.
Gumba said the move was aimed at improving safety and reducing congestion.
The new arrangement will also apply to Soko Mjinga Market, Koginga Beach Fish Market and other markets within Homa Bay Municipality.
By Sitna Omar
