The County government of Embu has launched campaigns to bring more than 8ooo boda boda riders under Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) in a bid ensure soberness, decency and profitable financial management in the industry.
In one of the most elaborate ever collaborations between the riders and the devolved government, Embu Governor Cecily Njagi Mbarire announced the immediate release of Sh4million to the sector.
Under this package, the government announced the immediate allocation of Sh1 million each to the Manyatta, Runyenjes, Mbeere North and Mbeere South, the four sub counties which comprise of the Embu County.
This initial devolved government funding came with an extra avalanche of donations of more than Sh4million from leaders led by Deputy resident prof Kithure Kindiki and promises of training packages to equip the riders with various skills.
The goodies came during the launch and adoption the Embu Boda Boda Strategic plan 2o24 2o27 at the Runyenjes Sorts Grounds presided over by the deputy president during which the county and national committed to support the sectors in appreciation to the economic contribution to the economy.
Said the governor, ’’we are strategically planning to establish Sub County Boda Boda offices and cooperatives in our four constituencies and under this initiative we target unification of riders to form Saccos across the sub county headquarter offices’’
She clarified that the cooperatives would focus on two major facets covering welfare and economic empowerment. The initiative to bring together all riders under Saccos comes at a time when a negligible number of boda boda riders have been able to join Saccos or retain membership in riders’ initiated self-help groups.
According to Governor Mbarire, her government targeted to partner with Hustler Fund to facilitate credit mainly to the boda boda based Saccos while at the same time further funding loans will be availed through the Embu County Government based Jipange Youth Empowerment Fund.
Training forums, Mbarire assured would be sponsored by various stakeholders but mainly through Sacco mainly aimed at enhancing members’ understanding of budgeting, savings, and the value of wider investments.
’’Training packages in various financial management skills it is expected will foster a culture of responsible financial management’’, said Governor Mbarire while stressing that through collective savings riders will be facilitated to acquire their own motor bikes and reduce dependence on expensive lease agreements.
She said that her government valued the role played by Saccos because they mainly provided training and support for entrepreneurial ventures elsewhere and beyond the traditional transport services.
plans were underway to ensure that riders under Saccos eventually graduated to electric motor bikes, the governor assured noting that apart from being environmentally friendly, the charging battery operated motor bikes were cheaper to maintain and hence more commercially profitable.
Said expressed her governments determination to streamline the operations of the boda boda sector by ensuring that it was linked to key and related social, licensing and service offices.
She said that her government aimed at introducing more than 3ooo electric boda bodas by the year 2o27 a feat which will ensure that fuel costs will be halved in the wake of the fact that –every Sh1ooo earned by a rider operational costs stood at Sh6oo and that would be reduced to Sh3oo.
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She said that the strategic plan targeting four years, Mbarire said would be implemented through the Embu County Youth Empowerment Docket, the boda boda riders and the Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya Embu Chapter.
The plan has seven elaborate pivotal fronts with each pillar aimed at addressing all the facets of the industry to ensure a holistic approach to its growth and development.
Governor Mbarire stressed that under the firm strategies envisioned through the plan sustainability and systematic development of the boda boda sectors will be fostered.
She said that with professionalism guaranteed through Sacco guidelines, the majority of riders who are young generation will be expected to achieve financial independence and secure their future well elevating the economy of the County to greater heights.
Governor Mbarire said that while the her government emphasized the key role Saccos would lay in improving the sector, other areas of importance would be covered including health, insurance, safety, discipline, digital identification and awareness on environmental issues.
By Robert Nyagah.
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