Over 1,000 Boda boda and tuk-tuk operators have undergone training on road safety and self-first aid through a partnership between Watu Credit Limited, Trans Nzoia County Government and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).
The initiative dubbed ‘Tujenge Msingi’ seeks to reduce the fatality rates and injuries attributed to motorcycle accidents.
Speaking while reopening Watu’s offices in Kitale town, the company’s Country Manager Erick Massawe welcomed the partnership, saying it will enable them to jointly coordinate corporate social initiatives such as the construction of boda boda sheds.
During the event where they donated 5 motorcycles, he said that the programme will also see them sponsor training sessions on financial skills, disbursement of scholarships to the operators and the expansion of the safety campaign.
“Through this programme, we have directly reached out to boda boda operators and equipped them with road safety skills, especially in first aid. In most cases, the riders are usually the first to arrive at scenes of accidents, and it is important for them to know what to do to preserve lives,” said Massawe.
The riders were also taken through comprehensive training on safety, which covered creating awareness of rules they should adhere to while on the road.
“As we re-open our offices in Kitale, we want to ensure that our customers not only have access to affordable loans but also all-around empowerment to succeed in their businesses,” he said.
Massawe announced a pilot programme that will begin in the county which will see the company’s customers receive a monthly interest rate below 2 per cent, making it the lowest in the market.
NTSA Programme Director Samuel Musumba hailed Watu for rolling out the programme.
“There are over 1.4 million registered riders on our roads. As the number of registrations skyrockets, this programme will ensure sanity and promote an enabling environment in the transport sector,” he said.
Musumba noted that motorcycles have been ranked by NTSA as the most dangerous mode of transport in 2022.
“According to data, boda bodas contributed to the highest number of fatalities in 2022 recording 1,209 fatalities, an increase from 1,154 recorded in the previous year,” he said.
Governor George Natembeya pledged to work closely with Watu to support businesses that empower young people to venture into micro-entrepreneurship.
“The boda boda sector has been a good source of employment for our youth, and I am happy that such initiatives will better the situation on the roads,” he said.
By Denis Lumiti
Get more stories from our website: Sacco Review.
For comments and clarifications, write to: Saccoreview@shrendpublishers.co.ke
Kindly follow us via our social media pages on Facebook: Sacco Review Newspaper for timely updates
Stay ahead of the pack! Grab the latest Sacco Review newspaper!
