Nairobi bodaboda riders embrace technology to streamline operations, reduce accidents

Bodaboda riders in Nairobi on Friday received lessons on how to digitise their operations in a move aiming to create efficiency and boost safety.

Through the Kenya Bodaboda Association, Data Lock Limited and Spiro Motorbikes, the riders were tipped on how digitising their operations can help them create unity amongst their ranks as well as streamline their activities.

Kenya Bodaboda Association Secretary General Ismail Abdalla said the move to urge them to get their operations digitised is coming at a time when the sector is facing unprecedented growth following the huge number of young people joining the sector.

"Our sector is growing rapidly because it is the first place where jobless young Kenyans come to earn a living. I would be very delighted if all bodaboda riders in the country were united in one platform," said Ismail.

Ismail lauded the new initiative, which he also noted is aiming to help them maximise profits, " Accepting to operate digitally will make us reach clients easily, and at the same time enable us to stay safe in a trade that is plagued by accidents."

Data Lock Limited Chief Executive Officer Vince Silla explained that embracing technology by the riders is a good move in aligning their operations with the digital aspect of operations in the transport sector.

"The world no longer runs in analogue form. The decision by these bodaboda riders to have their operations digitised will accrue great benefits to them," said Silla.

He runs a digital application that offers safety measures and tips to bodaboda riders.

The training that targeted 3,000 bodaboda riders in Nairobi was held at the Green Park Bus Park.

Chief Officer for Environment in Nairobi City County Government Geoffrey Mosiria lauded the move, urging the riders to respect motorists' zoning rules enacted by the County Government.

Nairobi County Environment Chief Geoffrey Mosiria address bodaboda riders about new zoning rules banning them from the Central Business District.

The National Bodaboda Association Secretary General Ismail Abdalla and Data Lock CEO Vince Silla stressed the need for digitising… pic.twitter.com/oGkSypwBFs

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"We want to ask boda boda operators to adhere to safety measures and at the same time respect rules on movement within and outside the Nairobi Central Business District," said Mosiria.

He regretted that many hospitals in the county are recording a higher number of victims who are admitted as a result of injuries sustained by bodaboda riders.

Bodaboda has become the go-to mode of transport for Kenyans to beat traffic due to its availability.

Crash statistics

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Data from the National Police Service reveal that between May 2022 to October 2023, 9,996 people were directly affected by motorcycle crashes.

Out of the 9,996, a total of 2,384 were fatalities and 5,581 serious injuries

The report titled "Fare Price; An Investigation into the Health Costs of Motorcycle Taxi Crashes in Kenya" was compiled by the National Helmet Wearing Coalition alongside the Motorcycle Initiative, Transaid, and UK-based FiA Foundation.

The report also states that 2,031 escaped with minor injuries.

"Based on this data, the most likely outcome for motorcycle users hurt in a crash is to incur a serious injury (56 per cent), the second most likely outcome being death (24 per cent)," reads the report.

"However, it may be the case that slight injuries are less likely to involve the police and not need hospital treatment."

The report also sought to look into the health costs of bodaboda accidents.

The report sought to investigate the health costs of boda boda crashes and also to understand helmet usage levels amongst operators and pillion passengers.

During the period under review, 249 victims sustained head injuries with each spending close to Sh3 million on treatment while those who sustained limb injuries were 149 with each spending close to Sh1.6 million.

Survivors who had multiple injuries were 128 with each spending up to Sh1 million on medical expenses.

Twenty-five of the victims who sustained abdominal injuries each spent Sh320,740 on medical costs while seven suffered thoracic injury, each of them spending Sh109,475 on hospital bills.

This is according to data obtained from hospitals.