By Musyoka Kaleti
The University of Embu students offered a one day free Drug and Substance Abuse Sensitization Programme for Boda Boda Operators to ensure the sector is free from drugs.
The programme themed ‘Soba boda for a safe ride’ which brought together stakeholders from National Police Service (NPS), National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), Public Health, boda boda operators in Embu, Office of the County Commissioner among others aimed at instilling a culture of sobriety when riding and sensitizing boda boda operators on the risks and consequences of drugs in order to attain a boda boda sector free from drug abuse.
Solomon Mwaniki, a student at the University who was part of the training team said that over 40% of the accidents in Kenya are as a result of reckless bodaboda riding and that the sensitization will help to reduce the accidents.
”We are basing this advocacy on a research that was conducted by NACADA and our effort is to ensure reduction of these accidents,” Mwaniki said.
Speaking to the press at the university after the sensitization programme, National Police Service representative Michael Njage noted that most of the accidents in the county are caused by intoxicated boda boda operators
He urged the operators not to drive while drunk to ensure their safety, that of pillion passengers and that of the pedestrians.
Njage echoed the government’s directive of ensuring that all boda boda riders are re-registered, obtain smart driving license and that they form saccos within their areas of operation saying that all these help in regulation of the sector.
In addition, Embu West Sub County Assistant County Commissioner Beatrice Gituto congratulated the varsity for spearheading the sensitization programme.
She urged NACADA and other private bodies at the forefront in the fight against drug and substance to continue creating awareness against drugs and substance abuse, especially Muguka, the most abused drug in Embu and the larger Eastern region which causes fatigue and lowers one’s concentration.
Cyrus Gitonga Nyaga a boda boda operator in Embu said that drug and substance abuse has been the major cause of accidents in the county adding that many of the accident cases at the Embu Level 5 Hospital are as a result of drug and substance abuse.
Nyaga implored his fellow boda boda operators to cease from drug and substance abuse while at work.
