In response to the escalating number of accidents involving boda bodas, a multi-agency team, including the National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA), the National Youths Fund, the Wakili Sigei Foundation (WSF), and the National Crime Centre (NRC), has initiated a comprehensive safety awareness campaign across Bomet County.
The campaign aims to sensitise boda boda riders on the importance of adhering to safety measures to curb the surge of accidents plaguing the region.
Mr. Andrew Lagat, Director of National Safety at the NTSA, expressed grave concerns regarding the alarming rate at which lives are being lost due to boda boda accidents.
Speaking to the media in Bomet, Lagat emphasised the urgent need for action, citing the recent launch of the National Road Safety Action Plan by the President, which outlines key safety measures for road users, including boda boda riders.
“We are losing a lot of lives, and a significant number of these accidents are attributable to boda bodas, both riders and pillion passengers, failing to observe traffic regulations,” noted Lagat.
He highlighted the non-compliance of many boda boda riders with essential road safety measures such as possessing a valid driving license, wearing helmets, and using rider gears.
NTSA reports have indicated a worrying trend of increasing boda-boda accidents, with Bomet County recording five to ten fatalities per month and an average of 25 accidents involving boda-boda accidents monthly.
The report attributes 80% of these accidents to reckless driving and the influence of drugs and substances among riders and road operators.
Robert Olweny, Regional Director of the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), highlighted the prevalence of accidents caused by intoxicated boda boda operators in the county.
Olweny urged operators to refrain from driving under the influence to ensure their safety and that of their passengers, and pedestrians.
Geoffrey Kigen, a boda boda operator at Kapsimotwo Market, commended the NTSA for its efforts in promoting road safety measures. Kigen called upon his fellow boda boda operators to abstain from drug and substance abuse while on duty, emphasising the importance of collective responsibility in reducing accidents.
Through targeted awareness campaigns and enforcement of safety regulations, stakeholders aim to instill a culture of responsibility among boda boda riders and minimise the loss of lives on the county’s roads.
The safety campaign is set to continue with various outreach activities and training sessions, aimed at equipping boda boda operators with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the roads safely.
By Lamech Willy.A.
