By Elizabeth Angira
Physical Planning principal Secretary (PS) Enosh Momanyi has said that Boda boda operators who have been registered and trained would bargain for higher salaries and wages from their employers.
Launching the boda boda registration exercise at Kisii Branch Huduma Centre, he said the government wants to professionalize the sector, bring sanity and safety of the operators.
The PS was accompanied by Kisii Central Deputy County Commissioner (DCC), Wilberforce Kilonzo , the Huduma centre branch manager, Stella Wanyala and boda boda county chairman, Jared Onchari urged the operators to shun rumors that the government wants to exploit them.
“Boda boda operators carry 7.5 million pillion passengers daily and its contribution to the country’s economy is enormous” Momanyi said as he implored the operators to register within the ninety days given by the government.
He said, according to the National Transport and Safety Authority ( NTSA), 700 succumbed due to boda boda accidents in 2015 and almost 2000 last year, adding it was necessary for the operators to be trained and registered to curb such accidents.
The PS said the exercise is being carried out in 52 Huduma centres across the country and appealed to the centre Managers to hasten the process, stressing the government has waived training fees for the operators who have been registered
“The riders require an Identity Card (ID) , Kenya Revenue Authority ( KRA) pin Number and phone and their data is captured biometrically. Those who would have not registered will use their money for training” Momanyi explained.
Kilonzo said the operators have been sensitized by the police and NTSA to register and urged the riders to take advantage of the window period to register to enhance their work.
He said the sub county has not experienced criminal activities by the operators, adding that once they are registered, it will streamline the sector.
Ms Wanyala said the Centre has 7 registration kits, 2 power banks, has registered 720 operators and appealed to the government to avail tents to hasten the registration.
“Some kits are slow while others sometimes malfunction. We are using the corridors of Posta and are inconveniencing them. We appeal for support” Wanyala said.
Mr Onchari said he will ensure that all the operators are registered, stressing once the exercise is complete, it will weed out rogue operators and bring sanity in the sector.
