Mombasa Tuk-Tuk operators have welcomed Kakamega County Senator Dr Boni Khalwale’s proposed Public Transport (Motorcycle Regulation) Bill, 2023.
The Bill, they said, will improve road safety but expressed concerns about the affordability of the proposed fines. They requested that the bill be reevaluated to ensure it strikes a balance between promoting adherence to traffic rules and not burdening operators financially.
The Bill seeks to regulate motorcycles (Bodaboda) and three-wheeled tricycles (Tuk-tuks). Among other regulations aimed to streamline the sectors in every county, a County Motorcycle Transport and Safety Board will be established for the regulation, management, and coordination of all matters relating to the motorcycle transport sector within the county.
According to the Bill, owners or operators of motorcycles for commercial purposes will were expected to register with a Savings and Cooperative Societies recognized under the Cooperative Societies Act.
Tuk-tuk operators in Mombasa have expressed their support for the bill saying they believed it was a necessary step to curb unnecessary accidents in the country.
Roy Ombima, a Tuk-tuk operator based in Mwembe Tayari, passionately endorses that all drivers, including Tuk-tuk operators, should adhere to traffic rules.
He emphasized that Tuk-tuks, like any other vehicle, have the potential to cause accidents if regulations were disregarded.
He believes that enforcing the rules would significantly reduce accidents, particularly among drivers who misuse pedestrian pathways.
Ombima noted that a Tuk-tuk was meant to carry a maximum of three passengers but pointed out some operators exceeded this limit, often driven by financial motivations, a practice that not only jeopardized safety but also affected the business operations of Tuk-tuk associations in Mombasa.
“Most of the drivers who exceed a passenger count of three are often driven by the desire for higher earnings, inadvertently compromising the integrity of their profession,” he said.
Another Tuk-Tuk operator John Enyanya, acknowledged that the rules and regulations covered by the bill were part of what drivers learnt in driving schools.
While he recognized the dangers of using pedestrian pathways by Tuk-tuks, Enyanya, however, raised concerns about the high fines proposed in the bill.
He recalled instances where operators were fined Sh3,000 for traffic violations, saying the prospect of a Sh20,000 fine seemed daunting.
“The proposed fines are notably high, and they often place an undue burden on us, making it challenging to meet the payment. It would be greatly appreciated if they could re-evaluate and potentially lower the fine to a more reasonable level,” said Enyanya.
By Jimmy Mambo and Shamim Musa
