The planned national registration of bodaboda riders is set to begin today, and run till June 24 across the country.
The exercise which will be presided over by Principal Secretaries in the Internal Affairs Ministry will take place in the 52 Huduma Centres.
The main objective of the exercise, according to Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, is to issue the drivers with a smart driving licence and streamline the sector to ensure safety of operators and customers.
“A registered bodaboda rider will be issued with a smart driving licence within the period upon the processing of registration information,” Matiang’i said.
Every rider will be required to carry an original ID card, a copy of KRA PIN number and an active registered phone number.
The National Health Insurance Fund has also promised to provide cover for the first 200,000 riders to be registered.
On his part, Interior Permanent Secretary Karanja Kibicho has emphasised that the exercise is set to ensure discipline among the riders.
“They will join Saccos of their choice because the transport sector has their own regulations too. You cannot be registered in a Sacco in Embakasi and you are operating in Kakamega.
Let’s understand that the Sacco is their own business. If the bodaboda is for PSV it is a must that the rider must be in a Sacco,” Kibicho stated.
Kibicho has also advised the riders to cooperate with police officers to get back their bikes which were nabbed during the nationwide crackdown.
“You cannot get into a police station, point a motorbike saying it is yours then you be given. You are required to give the officers proof that it is yours otherwise there will be issues,” he added.