- Kakamega boda boda riders have formed a Sacco to strengthen savings and improve their livelihoods.
- The initiative follows training on road safety, financial literacy and the benefits of collective savings.
- The Sacco plans to help members access loans, acquire motorcycles and property, and create jobs for young people.
Boda boda riders in Kakamega County have launched the Mulembe Youth Boda Transport Co-operative Society Limited, a Sacco aimed at promoting savings.
The Sacco has been termed an eye opener to their transport business venture, which has had equal shares of pros and cons.
Speaking during the launch of the much anticipated Mulembe Youth Boda Transport Co-operative Society Limited in Kakamega County, its chairman Raydon Anyangu appreciated the officials of the South Korea-based nongovernmental organisation (NGO) Global Civic Sharing (GCS). He praised their committed efforts to bring together all the boda boda operators from the 12 sub-counties to unite for one common goal: saving for the future prosperity.
The chairman could not hide his excitement over the milestone. He stated that it has been a journey of many years, with the NGO identifying each representative at the ward level to head the boda boda trainings right from the grassroots level.
“We have had several meetings and trainings with the Global Civic Sharing on road safety, our own and passenger safety, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), safety gear, and how to reduce road carnages. And they have also educated us on the need for financial literacy, the saving culture and the need to have an umbrella Sacco that will uplift our livelihoods as boda boda operatives,” said Anyangu.
The chairman lauded the leadership of GCS for extending their tentacles to the boda boda sector, which is the most industrious within the country. He noted that the launch of their Sacco will stabilise and strengthen the industry to greatness.
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Meanwhile, the Sacco vice chairman Chitunga Museve assured the riders that the Sacco will thrive to see the industry grow and generate more job opportunities for the youngsters. This comes as the country grapples with the challenge of unemployment.
He added that the Sacco was their head start to them acquiring properties, including land and houses, and even educating their children.
GCS project coordinator Elphas Kirwa stated that the NGO was targeting the entire Western region motorcycle riders. He said the launch of the Sacco was a huge milestone, not only in diversifying the trade but also in empowering the young people who have embraced it fully.
He said the newly launched Sacco will be very beneficial to the operators. They will be able to save and access loans to purchase their own fleet of motorcycles, besides creating employment to the youth.
The coordinator acknowledged the commitment the boda boda members had displayed throughout the years, since 2024, as they were taken through the needed steps that have seen the launch of their Sacco.
He said as an NGO, they were committed to ensuring that different groups are educated on the importance of coming together and forming Saccos as an income generating venture to empower them economically.
The coordinator affirmed that their commitment dates back to 2009, when it was established to support Kenyans through micro savings business trainings and beauty art skills, all aimed at empowering young people to excel.
“Our mission is to support sustainable community self-reliance, emergency relief, public education and youth volunteering. We are in operations within 15 countries including Kenya, Rwanda, Mongolia, Ethiopia, Vietnam and Nepal, and our local presence within Kenya is felt through supporting local communities across the country,” he said.
By Wakhungu Andanje
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