The Mountain Journal
editor@themountainjournal.co.ke
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called on road users to respect boda boda operators as he urged the riders to avoid recklessness and misbehavior causing animosity on the roads.
Prof. Kindiki said the riders enjoy every right like other Kenyans in the transport industry to do business and eke a living revealing that the government will work with them to streamline the sector.
“We must respect the boda boda riders because they have the right to make a living like all those in the transport industry,” he said.
The Second-in-Command said a small percentage is engaging in criminal activities that are spoiling the name of those doing clean and genuine business.
“Most of them are doing business genuinely and are law obedient but some are engaging in criminal activities including reckless use of the roads. This is just a small clique portraying a bad picture of the boda boda industry,” DP added.
Prof. Kindiki spoke on Tuesday when he engaged Meru County Boda Boda representatives and Al-Azizia Football Club players in Irunduni, Tharaka Nithi County.
“Reckless riding and violation of traffic rules is not acceptable. Failure to do so you endanger your lives and those of other road users,” he noted.
The DP also informed the motorcycle operators that President Ruto has heeded their request to suspend the Public Transport Motorcycle Regulation Bill, 2025 that had attracted contention for seeking to regulate the sector without their input.
“The President has suspended it and it will not proceed until we have had adequate consultations,” he revealed.
During the engagement, Prof. Kindiki promised to support the Boda Boda riders and the footballers as he had indicated earlier while encouraging them to take advantage of ongoing empowerment programs funded by the administration.
“We strongly believe in the ability, vision and talent of our youth. We have a duty to take care of our country so we can bequeath them a prosperous nation where they can thrive and raise their families,” DP noted.
He said the government will continue to engage with them and act on their pleas.
“Engagement with the youth is a continuous commitment. Every single one of them has an idea or two on the actions policy makers and leaders need to take to make Kenya greater than it is today.
Other than requesting for support to actualise their ventures, the youth are asking for an expedited job and income creation programme for various cadres of youth.”
Additionally, the Deputy President highlighted various initiatives for the creation of jobs and opportunities for the youth who are the majority of the job seekers.
Among them is the Kazi Kwa Ground program that entails creation of jobs in affordable housing, construction of modern markets and hostels across the country. The Kazi Mtandaoni initiative which encompasses exploitation of digital opportunities through ICT hubs and Kazi Majuu which has been expanded through signing of bilateral labour agreements with more countries.
The education curriculum has also been reformed to make it holistic addressing a range of needs and expectations including allowing harnessing talent early on.
The streamlining of Sports and Creative Industry is also top of the government’s agenda.
“Every constituency in Kenya will get a sports academy to tap and refine talent,” DP promised.
“We are going to get rid of all cartels in the music and creative industry to make sure our talented young Kenyans benefit fully from their creativity and no one exploits them,” he added.
As the government works hard to better their lives, Prof. Kindiki urged the riders and the footballers and youth across the country not to be misused by retrogressive leaders keen to cause mayhem in the country.
“Avoid being exploited by retrogressive leaders who have nothing to offer but violence and destruction,” he added.
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