Registration of boda boda to streamline the sector, ICT PS says

KISUMU, Kenya March 28-The National Government has assured Kenyans that the ongoing registration of boda boda riders will streamline the sector that has been faced with a number of challenges.

Principal Secretary in the Ministry of ICT Jerome Ochieng who launched the registration exercise on Monday in Kisumu says the government means well for the well-being of its citizens.

Ochieng says the sector has been riddled with numerous problems which the government is keen to fix through regulations.

“A streamlined boda boda sector will provide a safe and orderly operating environment for the general public who rely on these services for their day to day services,” he said.

The PS says all the riders must seize the 60 days window period offered by the government to come out and register in the 52 Huduma Centre spread across the country.

“I urge all riders to mobilize and present themselves in large numbers in order to take advantage of the 60 days registration window,” he said.

He says the sector has potential, with over 1.1 million riders in the country employed in the sector.

Ochieng says last year, 2,000 riders lost their lives in accidents, and the government through the regulations will attempt to reverse the trend.

He says the advantages of getting registered are enormous and no rider should view it as a punishment by the government.

“These reforms are aimed at mitigating these negative trends by advocating for safe riding habits through training and capacity building of registered operators,” he said.

Ochieng assured the riders that the process will be seamless since the Huduma staff have been trained and will not engage them in asking many questions.

The government will issue every registered boda boda rider with a smart driving license.

“Don’t wait for last minute rush to prevent long queues,” he said.

The first 2,000 registered riders across the country will get an opportunity to have their National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) monthly contributions paid by the government for the next 12 months.