The National Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya has launched a nationwide sensitisation programme on road safety targeting the boda boda sector in a bold move aimed at reversing the alarming rate of road carnage.
The initiative, rolled out in partnership with key stakeholders, seeks to address the deep-rooted safety challenges facing one of Kenya’s most critical transport and economic sectors as well as address rising fatalities that have claimed many lives.
Association Chairman Kevin Mubadi, speaking during a service clinic day in Naivasha, said the programmes are designed to create widespread awareness on road safety, noting that the sector has been gravely affected by rising accident rates, with tens of riders losing their lives every year.
Mubandi attributed the increased road carnage largely to lack of formal driving skills training and called on riders to enrol in accredited driving schools and acquire licences.
Mubadi said the exercise to traverse the country and engage the bodaboda riders has since started with Kisumu and Nakuru counties leading the pace, adding that the move aimed to ensure riders have the requisite skills and knowledge on traffic regulations.
The urgency of the campaign comes following the release of worrying data by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) indicating that by the end of 2025, motorcyclist deaths had risen by 8.8 percent to 1,148, up from 1,055 recorded in 2024.
The NTSA report also showed that during the same period, pillion passenger fatalities surged by 15.2 percent from 375 to 432.
With over 10,000 Boda Bodas sold every month, the sector has created enormous job opportunities for the youth and contributes billions of shillings to the Kenyan economy.
However, Mubadi also warned members against allowing the sector’s influence to be exploited by politicians, particularly as the country gears up for heightened political activities ahead of next year’s General Election.
He cautioned riders against being mobilised to cause mayhem, noting that the sector’s mostly youthful membership has increasingly become a target for politicians seeking to drive personal ambitions to the extent of being unleashed to disrupt opponents’ meetings.
John Gitonga, Chairman of the Naivasha Town Boda Boda Association, echoed the call for action, urging leaders at all levels to support riders in accessing formal driving lessons, which he said will reduce reckless driving.
On his part, Mr Fernandez Kariuki, Product Marketing Manager for Boda Financing at Mogo Auto Limited (MOGO Kenya), noted that flexible loan facilities and favourable repayment terms have enabled thousands of riders to acquire motorcycles and earn a livelihood.
He added that the company has initiated a financial literacy campaign targeting riders to equip them with skills to manage their savings more efficiently.
On her part, Rachael Leyian, Director at the Kenya National Entrepreneur Savings Trust, said the organisation specifically targets Boda Boda riders to create awareness on both short-term and long-term savings options.
She revealed that the Trust has so far registered over one million Kenyans, mainly from the informal sector, where members save as little as Sh10 per day toward their retirement.
By Erastus Gichohi
