Up to 1,700 boda boda riders have so far completed their training in a project dubbed ‘Jenga Riders thanks to a partnership by Co-op Bank Foundation , the National Transport and Safety Authority NTSA and the German Development Agency GIZ. The Project was launched in July last year.
The Ksh 64million shilling project has also seen 240 were assisted to attend refresher riding classes in order to be certified as riders by NTSA, issued with licenses and supported to form co-operatives. In a statement, Coop Banks said, working in partnership with GIZ under Employment for Development in Africa (E4D) program, the project seeks to address these challenges by not only training the riders on business skills but also supporting refresher training sessions for 3,000 youths. The riders will form cooperatives for ease of access to credit to expand their business. This is anticipated to increase their income and ensure decent work within the sector.
The “Jenga Riders” training for Nairobi Region was conducted last week at the YMCA Central in Nairobi where 90 boda boda leaders drawn from all sub counties were trained. The riders are trained on safety and basic motorbike repair and maintenance, business skills, ICT and digital literacy. The next training takes place in Meru at the end of the month.
Whereas most youths in transport sector would like to grow their enterprises, they continue to face regulatory, business operation and financial related challenges.
Industry data shows that acquisition of a driving license requires at least Sh9, 000 and up to Sh12, 000 while insurance cover costs Sh9, 000. Such costs make it difficult for most riders servicing loans to buy their motorcycles. Those entering into the business access training through their peers or vendors where the majority train for less than a day and start operating the business.
The riders have low access to information and training opportunities. Interventions within targeted training models for riders are non-existent. This presents a challenge to those who may want to build their business and diversify their livelihoods.