Bodaboda operators in Nandi County have been urged to form Sacco’s in order to benefit from National and County Government empowerment programmes.
Leaders led by Nandi Governor, Stephen Sang, said the cooperative movement will enable them to access Government funding easily to empower themselves economically.
Speaking at a Kapsabet hotel during a stakeholders’ meeting with the County Bodaboda leadership, operators and security personnel, Sang said the move will also weed out criminals from the sector.
“When saving in a Sacco, you are creating a bright future because you can easily access loans to expand your business. Do not stick only to the Bodaboda business. Think big,” he said.
The Governor also challenged the riders who sat their Form Four examination but failed to join colleges and universities to join technical institutions spread across the County to learn various skills.
Nandi County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Trade, Tourism and Enterprise Development, CPA Alfred Lagat, assured riders that the Department will provide them with office space for easy coordination and management.
“Being members of Sacco’s will help bring sanity as officials will know their members and punish errant members,” he said.
Lagat noted that collection of revenue is key in running government projects and hence agreed with the sector leadership on resumption of bodaboda stickers for efficiency.
Traffic Police Officers present urged the riders to observe traffic rules to reduce road carnage.
Bodaboda business despite being a convenient mode of transport for many, had become a headache for security personnel, as most riders lack basic training and safety equipment.
They have been blamed for many accidents across the Country, with some gangs making use of bikes to make quick gateways after committing crimes.
By Linet Wafula
