Nairobi, KENYA: The National Transport and Safety Authority NTSA has told boda boda operators to take safety precautions seriously especially when ferrying passengers.
“They need to drive when sober and avoid over speeding. They need protective gear like helmets which should be won at all times by the driver and the passengers. Warm clothing is important to protect them from them the wind when driving,” said Mr. Musumba from NTSA.
Mr. Musumba said statistics reflecting deaths of the operators is alarming with over 30 already dead this year as a result of accidents.
“In 2014, 2907 lives were lost on the roads. 18 per cent stemmed from motorcycle drivers. In 2015 we lost 3057 people, again 18 per cent stemmed from boda boda cases. More than 700 boda boda drivers died in 2016 as a result of road accidents,” fumed Mr. Musumba.
BODA BODA Insurance
World’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles, Hero MotoCorp and partner, Ryce East Africa on Thursday rolled out a pioneer personal accident cover for motorcycle riders.
The personal cover will be provided by CIC Insurance who have partnered with Ryce Motors East Africa to provide this scheme.
Hero MotoCorp’s Senior General Manager for Middle East and Africa Mr. Ranjan Shivadey said that this is the first ever support provided to this community, adding that an insurance cover for riders is essential to promote safety on the roads of Kenya.
Ryce East Africa managing director V.N. Srinivas said that the cover is a response to the growing economic importance of boda boda riders to the Kenyan economy, who need protection from losses arising from accidents.
“Boda bodas are increasingly becoming the most preferred and used mode of transport in both urban and rural areas, while employing tens of thousands and contributing up to sh. 400 million to the economy on a daily basis,” he continued.
Mr. Musumba during the launch welcomed the move saying that riders more often became victims of death, or even disability during road accidents.
“These incidents are alarming though some people may take them casually. When you put a human face to these cases remember it is a breadwinner, a father or even a mother who has been affected,” concluded Mr. Musumba.
