Police in Nyeri are incorporating various transport sector players in the fight against bodaboda accidents in the county.
Area Traffic Police Base Commander Justus Mumo says the ingenious move has seen a drastic reduction in the number of accidents in the county this year, with only four fatalities so far recorded since January.
Speaking to KNA in his office yesterday, the traffic boss similarly said they expect the numbers to go down even further as they undertake more sensitization meetings for bodaboda operators across the county.
Stakeholders who are working closely with the police to facilitate road safety training include the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA), Nyeri Water and Sewerage Company (Nyewasco), Nyeri National Polytechnic, and the Catholic Church.
‘To address the challenge of accidents among our bodaboda riders, my office has decided to bring on board various stakeholders in the transport sector in conducting road safety sensitization workshops for our bodaboda riders. During these meetings, we have been emphasising the need for the riders to observe strict safety rules at all times and ensure they are operating in accordance with the traffic laws of the country. The efforts have greatly lowered the number of accidents in Nyeri and made our roads safer for all and sundry,’ he said.
Mumo nevertheless lauded bodaboda riders in the area for heeding calls to belong to duly registered Saccos and added that they are also working with local administrators to ensure such measures are adhered to.
‘As we conduct our road safety sensitization forums, we are also reminding those who wish to join the industry to follow the due process of the law, including enrolling with a registered boda-boda Sacco. We keep on reminding them that it is to their advantage to belong to such entities since they can also be in a position to save and invest for their future even as they carry out their day-to-day activities,’ he added.
Over the last four years, NTSA has raised concerns over the steady increase in accidents caused by boda boda operators.
According to statistics from the NTSA, motorcycle transport was ranked as the most dangerous mode of transport in 2022.
Data from the authority indicated that Bodaboda contributed to the highest number of fatalities in 2022, recording a total of 1,209 fatalities.
Private vehicles came in second by recording 1,104 fatalities compared to 1,172 in 2021, while commercial vehicles recorded 1,079 fatalities compared to 1,019 in 2021. Public service vehicles recorded 626 fatalities, compared to 534 in 2021.
Overall, at least 4,690 people lost their lives on Kenyan roads in 2022, the authority’s 2023 economic survey shows.
On average, Kenya records an average of 3,000 deaths emanating from road accidents annually, placing the country among the nations with the highest road carnage in the world.
Source: Kenya News Agency