By George Mugo
Boda boda riders in the country have asked the government to lower tax on importation of electric motorcycles so as to enable them to purchase them.
They say a single unit going at a price which is equivalent to buying a second hand station wagon car.
A Nairobi based rider Simon Muturi says that most riders want to support President William Ruto’s advice to them on procuring electric vehicles as well as motorcycles which are energy saving.
Speaking at an electric motorcycles show organised by Teachers Transporters Foundation located at Ngara area in Nairobi city, Muturi urged Ruto to strategise on how the electric motorcycles can be sold below sh 200,000 so that many of the riders can afford.
“Many riders would want to buy them owing to their consumption, but the price is so high. The current financial situation in our country has affected us so much, very few customers are opting to travel with motorcycles since they say they do not have money” he said.
The TTF executive director Peter Kihara says that the electric motorcycles had been introduced in the country at a time when fuel prices have gone up in many countries of the world.
“It is not Kenya alone. Fuel prices have gone up in many countries. Our President and his administration have all they can to see fuel prices lowered” he said.
“However, as transport stakeholders, we want to support our President who has moved forward to encourage riders to brace for change especially in the e-mobility” he said.
Kihara says riders will earn themselves a lot of profit, since the battery fixed in the units needs to be recharged and again the motorcycles do not produce smoke that destroy environment.
“They are energy saving and environment friendly. They will also alert you when the battery is depleting, thus one cannot go to longer distances” he noted.
Kihara reveals that several outlets like TTF sells the motorcycles on installment payments.
He also urged riders to always be armed with driving licenses, protective gears like gloves, refrective jackets and helmets while on the roads.
Another rider, Alphonse Nyae also urged the government to support local electric motorcycles dealers so as to ensure spare parts are easily available.
Ruto says that boda boda mode of transport is mostly used by Kenyans in both rural and urban areas.
He says the sector needs to be supported by all means since it has also created jobs for many Kenyans youths.
However, Kihara also urged motorcyclists to ensure they have all the required documents by the National Transport and Safety Authority and the police to be on the road so as to be on the safe side.
“It is very important for every rider to have a driving license, their motorcycles are insured with valid insurance certificates and also have helmets, reflective jackets and gloves” Kihara advised.
Kihara also urged the operators to also partner with NTSA and the traffic police in their regions so as to be holding road safety campaigns after every year in order to refresh themselves about traffic rules.
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