Boda Boda Riders Set To Reap Big Once Ruto Actualize Electric Motorcycles Plan
The Mt Kenya Times 
Opibus Electric Motorcycles
By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga
Worth Noting:
- Apart from dilapidated economy which would be attributed to multiple goofs of President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga led ‘Handshake’ government among them corruption, wastage, mismanagement of public resources and insatiable appetite for borrowing foreign loans, President Ruto assumed power at a time when the country was facing four other major challenges; the ravaging drought (the worst in 40 years), Russian-Ukraine war, hefty public debts and Covid-19 pandemic (the country was in early stages of recovering from deadly disease).
- In his speech during the celebrations held at newly refurbished Moi Stadium in Embu Town, the President left no doubt he was committed to come up with speedy interventions to ease the suffering of hundreds of thousands of ‘hustlers’ who were jobless.
During the 60th Madaraka celebrations, President William Ruto outlined a raft of policy measures aimed at turning around Kenya’s ailing economy.
Having inherited a dilapidated economy, it had dawned on him that he had underestimated the task ahead for him.
Obviously, one of the issues that would give him sleepless is how to manage the high expectations of the million of ‘hustlers’.
During the campaigns, he had assured them he would address their myriad of challenges within the timelines he had set out.
To me, he has made some good progress but he is having a long way to go.
Apart from dilapidated economy which would be attributed to multiple goofs of President Uhuru Kenyatta and ODM leader Raila Odinga led ‘Handshake’ government among them corruption, wastage, mismanagement of public resources and insatiable appetite for borrowing foreign loans, President Ruto assumed power at a time when the country was facing four other major challenges; the ravaging drought (the worst in 40 years), Russian-Ukraine war, hefty public debts and Covid-19 pandemic (the country was in early stages of recovering from deadly disease).
In his speech during the celebrations held at newly refurbished Moi Stadium in Embu Town, the President left no doubt he was committed to come up with speedy interventions to ease the suffering of hundreds of thousands of ‘hustlers’ who were jobless.
While noting that Boda Boda is one of the small business enterprises at the bottom of the pyramid, the President had good news for riders.
I know you don’t make profit that is worthy and commensurate to the work that you do.
I have thought about this issue. The solution I have is to replace the fuel powered to electric powered motorcycles.
My government will start to actualize this plan in the next three months.
Once this is done, the business will be profitable and secure.
As expected, this announcement immediately started to draw mixed reactions.
For Dr Ruto’s critics led by the leadership of opposition outfit Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Party, the President ‘did not mean his words’.
In trying to justify their claims that he was just playing politics, they would allege.
Shifting to electrical motorcycles is not a solution. This will not change the fortunes of the riders. The riders will continue to incur the same expenses.
This is because apart from the buying chargers, they will be required to charge their motorbikes.
So, to them, the cost of buying the token for charging is same as buying the fuel.
I totally disagree. The cost of buying the token is far much less.
Let me give two good examples. When you take your phone for charging, you pay Sh10 after it is fully charged.
Again, I have a friend of mine who do online Taxi business. His car is electric powered. He has been making good profits.
This is because of three reasons. First, the cost of charging is very low.
Secondly, the charged battery is economical in terms of distance covered. If the vehicle is run on fuel, one spends a lot of money to cover the same distance. Thirdly, the car rarely develops mechanical problems.
Well, President Ruto would mince no word in assuring the boda boda riders about his commitment to protect thier interests.
I know cartels and predatory characters could be salivating out there hoping to make a kill out of this.
Take this from me. This will never happen. The work of importing electric run motorcycles will be done by companies contracted by the government. We shall give them the guidelines particularly on the issue of cost.
We shall ensure the price is pocket- friendly so that majority of the hustlers can buy and own them.
Besides boda Boda, the President unveiled the other measures he had put in place to address the plight of Hustlers in other sectors.
He particularly focussed on health and education matters.
He announced that plans are underway to unveil National Open University. He said this is one of the measures that would ensure the children of the poor (hustlers) accessed affordable and quality high education.
On health, he noted the health of the citizens is the cornerstone of a health nation.
For this reason, he said his government has increased budgetary allocations to this critical sector.
In health sector, I’m aware there are other major challenges hindering service delivery to Kenyans.
I’m committed to address them including tackling the recurring problem of mega corruption headon.
He had good news to Kenyans suffering from different ailments who were staying at their respective homes.
For the first time in our history, he announced that his government will employ Community Health Promoters.
As a starting point, each promoter will take care of 100 households in the villages and urban centers.
The promoter is a person who had done a medical course and so well equipped.
Apart from advising the caregivers on how to manage the conditions of those battling various ailments (diabetic, hypertension among others), he or she will recommend on whether some of these patients needed to be taken to the hospitals.
If it is a case for referral, the promoter will not only advise the family or guardian the best hospital where they should take him but will also do a follow-up.
Looking at the steps that President Ruto has taken so far, one thing is very clear. He means well for the country. I, therefore, urge Kenyans to support him.
We know the reason why top leadership of Azimio La Umoja is not seeing anything good he has done. It is simply because he defeated them at the ballot. They are yet to come to terms with this loss.
This is the same script Raila has been reading. He would become contented after fighting his way to join government. This is what he did during the reigns of Presidents Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta.
For now, Kenyans are waiting to see whether he will force President Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua to succumb.
Joseph Mutua Ndonga is a writer and political analyst based in Nairobi
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