In an effort to curb pilferage of revenues, Governor Gladys Wanga has told boda boda operators to pay revenues through their registered groups or Saccos.
The governor told the riders that it would also be easier for the riders to pay revenue as a team than individually.
She said once the registered group or Saccos received the revenue from a rider, he would be issued a sticker.
Wanga urged the Boda boda riders to join groups and register as savings and credit cooperative societies (Saccos) to enable them access loans.
She said that the registered groups will enable effective regulation of their operations.
The Governor urged those who have not registered in any group to come together and form their own.
She said members will be able to deposit their savings in the saccos alongside the county government revenues.
Speaking Monday during the official launch of East Kamagak boda boda combined cooperative society in Kasipul constituency, Wanga said her administration was committed to curbing pilferage of revenues.
She was accompanied by her Deputy Oyugi Magwanga, Kwame Otiende Foundation Director Kwame Otiende and God Will Provide Organisation Director Newton Ogada.
The Governor said her administration has introduced a digital revenue collection system in a bid to seal all corruption loopholes.
“There are over 58,000 boda boda riders in the county and they generate substantial revenue for the county government,” she said.
Magwanga said boda boda is among the sectors with a high potential of generating more revenue if regulated well.
“We want motorcycle riders to invest in saccos for their prosperity through accessing development loans and dividends on their savings,” he said.
On his part, Otiende said he provided the boda boda riders with reflector jackets, helmets, deposited in their bank accounts over Sh120,000 and supported training to secure licences.
He noted that Boda Boda is the biggest employer in Homa Bay and investing in them will enhance the county’s economic transformation.
Otiende urged boda boda riders to engage in other business activities like poultry keeping and crop production to increase their sources of income.
“We believe that through saccos, banking institutions will be able to offer them loans and reinvest in other business ventures for growth,” Otiende said.
Ogada said his organisation has paid annual NHIF premium for more than 200 boda boda riders.
“My organisation is also supporting the education of the less fortunate children and building their families’ houses. We’re doing all this to improve the lives of the riders,” Ogada said.
By Davis Langat
