Boda Boda, a word of Busia County origin, Makes to the 9th edition of Oxford Dictionary

Kenyans on social media are surprised after learning that the word Boda Boda had been approved and successfully added as an English word in the Oxford dictionary.

The word Boda Boda which falls under Noun category is defined as "a type of motorcycle or bicycle with a space for carrying goods, often used as a taxi.”

Only a few know about the origin of the word Boda Boda.

The word comes from the English words shouted by drivers then: ‘border, border’.

The word emerged in Busia, Kenya where bicycle riders would ferry people from different areas in the county to the market in Busia town.

Most times people would avoid using Matatus are the common form of public transport because they were expensive or very few were available on the roads.

They would then start walking towards the market. Bicycle riders (boda boda) would wait for the next customer.

If they waited long without getting one they would start cycling towards the market, and along the way they would meet people walking towards Busia.

They announce by shouting, "border, border," to signify their intent to carry thos on foot to the town that borders Uganda.

Whenever they could get an interested person they would start bargaining for a fare ensuring that it is much lower than what public service vehicles charged.

The cyclists ferried the person to Busia and back with their commodities.

The dictionary however has not cited an example from Busia, Kenya but it has cited an example from Kampala,the capital city of Uganda.