The influx of motorcycles into the Kenyan roads has been a necessary evil. If one needs to beat the heavy traffic on our roads, boda boda are always a preferred option. However, mostly driven by unqualified riders, motor cycle accidents have been on the rise, with statistics from National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) showing that 280 riders died by October last year compared to 243 riders registered in the same period in 2013.
This has led to the launch of a road safety awareness targeting boda boda operators by NTSA in partnership with National Road Safety Trust (NRST) to help reduce the road carnage. The campaign which has already been rolled out in Ruiru, Nyeri, Nanyuki, Embu and Meru will be expanded to other parts of the country within the year.
“The government has put in place a number of measures to control the increasing accidents on the roads but there is still need for a complete change of behaviour and attitude on the roads. Boda Boda riders, as well as pedestrians, must be responsible on the roads,” said NRST director Mathew Munyua. “Boda Boda riders need to be aware of the risks they are exposed to on the roads for themselves and for the passengers they carry. Proper training and adherence to traffic rules is not an option.”
The training programme will include risk factors awareness training and refresher training on responsible riding etiquette. It will also seek to address the need to adherence to wearing of helmets and reflective jackets, as well as loading capacity. Traffic Commandant Charlton Muriithi who is also a Trustee of the National Road Safety Trust noted that there is need for a concerted effort from all stakeholders to give more focus on road safety.
“Every day, innocent lives are lost on our roads, sometimes because of ignorance of the drivers on the roads, lack of proper training and reckless driving. It is important for each of us to be responsible on the roads. The number of accident victims in hospitals today is taking a toll on the economy and it is my hope that this training programme will help to address this issue,” he said.
According to official statistics, road accidents are the third leading cause of deaths; whereas motorbike accidents contribute the highest number of patients admitted in accident wards across the country today. The lack of training, failure to wear helmets and carrying excess passengers are the key contributors to the soaring numbers of accidents caused by Boda Boda riders.
Last year, the Government, through the Ministry of Transport, came up with a number of measures that are geared towards reduction of motorcycle accidents. Once fully implemented the new rules will require riders to ensure they have proper licences, wear protective gear and carry one passenger at a time.
The regulations ban carrying of goods on motor cycles, and will require that headlights of motor cycles be on all the time when on the road. Passengers will also be required to wear protective gear. The new rules also require dealers to sell each motorcycle together with two helmets and two reflector jackets.
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