Campaign To Give Out 1 Million Motorcycle Helmets Kicks Off In Earnest
Lipalikes CEO Nick Mararo addressing journalists during the inaugural event.
National Transport And Safety Authority (NTSA) Has Partnered With Several Organizations In The Initiative That Is Being Spearheaded By Social Media Platform; LipaLikes
By Wilfred Muchire
Worth Noting:
- NTSA is collaborating with Kenya Commercial Bank, Lipalikes and Rising Stars among other organisations to sponsor the multi-million shillings campaign.
- Mr Mararo said his organisation, a Social Media platform came out with the idea to address the ever rising accidents involving motorcyclists across the country.
- “The whole event is not only about carrying eggs it’s about the safety of the passenger, and if he or she is safe the rider is home safe, and as you know when an accident occurs the bodabodas’ are usually the first on scene and today they have learned on what to do just in case,” Mararo said.
A unique campaign aimed at sensitising Kenyans on road safety, more so for Bodaboda operators has kicked off in earnest.
In the initiative, one million motorcycle helmets will be provided to motorcyclists across the country in the next six months.
During the inauguration of the initiative, dubbed, ‘Abiria Ni Mayai’, a motorcyclist took away KSh250,000 from Lipalikes Chief Executive Officer Nick Mararo at the ceremony held at the Kasarani Super Special stage in Nairobi.
The motorcyclist, Mark Makokha, emerged the best in riders preparedness and knowledge on safety test, following his skills on safety, patience and personal presentation all founded on point system.
Just like other similar events lined up across the country, last weekend’s ceremony was organized to enhance the boda boda riders and pillions’ safety.
NTSA is collaborating with Kenya Commercial Bank, Lipalikes and Rising Stars among other organisations to sponsor the multi-million shillings campaign.
Mr Mararo said his organisation, a Social Media platform came out with the idea to address the ever rising accidents involving motorcyclists across the country.
“The whole event is not only about carrying eggs it’s about the safety of the passenger, and if he or she is safe the rider is home safe, and as you know when an accident occurs the bodabodas’ are usually the first on scene and today they have learned on what to do just in case,” Mararo said.
“Sixty-five per cent of passengers don’t wear helmets and some instances the rider, you will hear some women say the helmet is dirty, that is why we were also emphasizing on cleanliness,” he added.
Nairobi bodaboda operators chairman Newton Kigonde appreciated the effort made by ‘Abiria Ni mayai dabi’.
“The initiative is the best so far and the gains are immense, I believe after this our passengers will be happy,” Kigonde said.
Over 250 riders graced the event beyond expectations with 50 from Uasin Gichu county stealing the show.
The event next moves to the home of bodabodas’ the western circuit.
The campaign initiated targets boda-boda operators through awareness raising, training, and reward of good behaviour.
NTSA Director General George Njao said the campaign has been necessitated by the fact that most motorcycle riders operate without helmets and reflector jackets endangering themselves and their passengers.
“Life is very delicate. He or she needs to be driven with a lot of caution. Most importantly the passenger and the rider ought to wear a helmet at all times to remain safe on the road,” he said during the launch of the campaign.
According to Mararo, pillion passenger safety is one of the most overlooked aspects of the boda boda business in the country.
He alluded to data indicating that a third of Kenyans who have died on the roads in the last 6 years have been out of boda boda accidents.
“This is a safety and skill campaign. We are pushing for a safety-conscious rider and passenger. Helmet-wearing is a key and integral part of this. Helmets save lives,” said Mararo
NTSA and Lipa Likes are concerned that the helmet and reflectors are the most overlooked safety items leaving Kenyans endangering their lives as they try to reach various destinations, with the constant threat of accidents and dangerous riding.
Data released in April focusing on the busy boda boda industry, capturing findings for the last 6 years – that is between 2018 and 2023, a third of road accident deaths were caused by boda boda dangerous riding.
The campaign will see various boda boda riders compete in a competition that will have them carry eggs, milk, and water with the aim of seeing who will have the least damage to what they are carrying.
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