The registration of boda boda operators leading to issuance of Smart Driving Licenses kicked off Monday in Huduma centers across the country in line with the President’s directive.
In Kirinyaga County, Interior Principal Secretary (PS) Dr Karanja Kibicho, launched the registration process at Huduma center, accompanied by National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA) and the Kirinyaga County security team.
The PS addressed the stakeholders at Kerugoya stadium where he insisted that after 60 days the crackdown will be harsh.
“We are launching this event today countrywide. After 60 days we will be talking of compliance and crackdown will be tough,” the PS said.
Kibicho noted the current registration is free but announced that the government will reduce license renewal fee for boda boda riders so that it brings fairness compared to other motorist drivers.
“The drivers of big cars like Prado renew their licenses after 3 years at a cost of Sh3, 050 just like boda boda. This is unfair. We have decided that the motorcycle riders will be renewed at an affordable cost of Sh1, 050,” Kibicho said.
He noted that an estimated 7.5 million people use boda boda daily in Kenya and the government will not ignore the sector that comes in contact with such a large population.
“If you estimate that one boda boda carries a maximum of 5 people daily you will see that almost 7.5 million people use boda boda daily. The government cannot such a sector, based on the numbers they come in contact with,” he added.
He urged the operators to take advantage of the 60-day window to register for free and to instill order in the critical sub-sector.
The PS also said the government is not coming up with any new law but enforcing the existing Traffic Act to bring order in the boda boda sector.
“I still urge you to take advantage of this free 60-day window because after that there will be more inconveniences and we will not want to hear that. We are not creating any new law, we have a Traffic Act. What we are doing is just enforcing it to bring order in the boda boda transport sector,” he insisted.
The first 200,000 operators to register will benefit from a 12-month free NHIF cover in an industry plagued by road accidents.
In line with this cover, he said all boda bodas should be registered in a Sacco fully recognized by NTSA as a transport Sacco. He said the exercise will weed out criminals and other rogue elements that have infiltrated it.
Kibicho has clarified only boda boda operators whose motorcycles were impounded for petty offences will be allowed to pick them from police stations subject to laid-down procedures. This does not apply to bikes whose operators are facing serious crimes.
By Mutai Kipngetich
