ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs CS Joe Mucheru, has urged women to join the robust
bodaboda sector even as Nyandarua County administration pledged to support the sector
establish Sacco's in every ward.
Speaking in the County's Ol Kalou stadium when he launched the Bodaboda
Empowerment Initiative, CS Mucheru stressed the need to empower the sector that commands
the largest turnover, at Sh357 billion annually.
While promising to facilitate the acquisition of computers for the 25 ward offices in the
county, the CS said the women are better placed to invest in the sector that has1.7million riders
generating an average Sh700 a day.
"We want the riders to be more organised and contribute at least Sh50 a day each into the
Collective Investment Scheme.
"We are glad that the women have joined the industry considering that women are almost
half the population," added the CS, noting that the women's tenderness brings more sanity and
trust in the sector.
Mucheru reiterated the President’s support for the sector, while encouraging them to
register for the Universal Health Care program through NHIF.
"We have brought in partners such as Rubis Kenya, who are refunding three shillings for
every litre of fuel drawn. This will generate Sh120, 000 a month for the Sacco's.
"Through the National Youth Service, the National Transport and Safety Authority will
also offer refresher courses targeting simple mechanics and first aid as well as financial
management and IT," Mucheru said.
Nyandarua County has 8, 000 riders, who will form 50 Saccos. Charagita Sacco, that has
60 members has been a model sacco that now boosts of a petrol station and plots of land that
they hope to develop using the Sh100 they contributed daily.
Governor Francis Kimemia, who pledged a Sh10M seed capital through the County
Investment Authority, regretted that the county's cold climate did not allow the riders to remain
out working for long hence the need for saving and investment.
He lauded the businessmen and women for being highly disciplined and organised,
promising to support the industry through loans from the county's Trade Fund.
Chairperson to the Women Bodaboda Association, Magdalene Wangui regretted that the
women were discriminated upon in the industry that was male dominated.
"Some of our colleagues are away on maternity leave and that means that they will be
away from revenue generation for some time. It is however our joy to help our husbands fend for
our families through the sector," said Wangui who also called upon the government to support
the women.
Also present at the event, Nakuru Bodaboda Coordinator, Steven Muhanda, called on the
riders to avert turning accident scenes into crime scenes by burning vehicles of motorists.
Muhanda called on the public to respect the industry as the group works to bring sanity in
the industry.
by Anne Sabuni
CS Mucheru Challenge Women to Join Bodaboda Industry
