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Kilifi County cracks down on underage boda boda riders

Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro with the boda boda leadership at his office. (Photo: Kilifi County Government)

By Farhiya Hussein | Sunday, May 12, 2024

The move comes amidst growing worries over youths engaging in boda boda activities, especially during weekends, posing significant safety risks to themselves and others.

Kilifi County has issued a directive allowing for the detaining of individuals under 18 years caught riding boda bodas.

The directive will also see their parents held accountable in a bid to curb the rising concern of underage boda boda riding.

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The move comes amidst growing worries over youths engaging in boda boda activities, especially during weekends, posing significant safety risks to themselves and others.

"We cannot afford to lose our children in such a manner. If a parent decides to rest on a Sunday and allows their 12-year-old child to go riding on a tarmac road, we must put an end to this trend to save the lives of our children," Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro said.

Governor Mung’aro emphasised the importance of prioritising safety measures to prevent tragic accidents involving the youth.

Motorcycle marking

Already, discussions with the Department of Transport are underway to implement motorcycle marking indicating their area of operation, aimed at fostering order and accountability within the bodaboda sector.

“I have requested for the bodaboda leadership to meet with the Department of Transport on issues of marking of motorcycles to have numbers on them indicating area of operation, this is to help bring order within the sector,” he said.

On motorcycle safety, the governor noted a number of youths have lost their lives due to accidents since they lacked protective gear such as helmets.

Governor Mung’aro also announced initiatives aimed at enhancing safety measures, including the provision of helmets and reflectors for motorcycle riders.

"We must invest in helmets and reflectors to ensure the safety of riders. The county is committed to preventing tragic accidents that claim the lives of our youth," he stated, underscoring the importance of proactive measures to mitigate risks associated with motorcycle riding.

Addressing concerns over safety and accountability within the boda boda sector, the governor highlighted ongoing efforts to address issues such as underage riding while stressing the need for collaborative strategies between bodaboda operators and relevant authorities to ensure safety and order within the industry.

The governor revealed plans to suspend the collection of Malindi boda boda stickers until further notice, pending the resolution of internal issues within the sacco.