President Uhuru Kenyatta. [PSCU]
President Uhuru Kenyatta has pledged to support the Boda Boda investment scheme, saying the sector is key in job creation and building of the country’s economy.
Speaking on Friday when he met the Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya leaders at Pumwani in Nairobi, President Uhuru urged the Boda Boda riders to unite embrace the scheme idea to secure their future.
He urged the Boda Boda leaders to ensure all riders buy the investment idea to empower themselves and their families.
He challenged the sector leaders to be transparent in managing the members' savings so that riders can embrace the savings idea.
“It is honesty and transparency that will give members the urge to join the Saccos,” he said.
President Uhuru said the Boda Boda sector was one of the most important sectors in the economy as they help half of the population of Kenya to move around the country.
“About 22 million Kenyans move from every village to various places including workplace, hospitals using Boda Boda as a means,” he said, adding that approximately 5 million Kenyans directly or indirectly depend on Boda Boda operators as means of transport.
He told the operators to take advantage of their numerical strength to build their own lives and secure their future.
He said the sector generates approximately Sh357 billion annually, more than what the national government disburse to the counties and if tapped, can improve the economy.
“On a daily basis, the sector makes Sh980 million which translates into Sh8.6 billion weekly and Sh27 billion in a month.”
He urged the riders to embrace the Boda Boda investment scheme to help them benefit from their business.
He said the government will collude with the riders to grow the scheme and let it stand on its own
Being used
He told Boda Boda operators not to allow themselves to be used by politicians for their own self gains before being dumped after the elections.
“If you don’t respect your jobs and who you are, these people will use you during elections and dump you afterwards. Take advantage of your numbers,” he said.
He said it through the schemes that the riders can service their loans, save through and improve their living standard.
“Through the scheme, members can borrow from the scheme to educate their children, build shelter and pay medical bills.”
Deputy President William Ruto and his allies have however termed the President’s efforts to empower the riders is embracing the hustler narrative that they opposed earlier.
Ruto while referring to ODM leader Raila Odinga’s speech to the Boda Boda operators in Kisumu on Thursday said it was good news that the hustlers are the centre of the political conversation.
“The makanga, wheelbarrow, mkokoteni, mama mboga and bodaboda guys are finally at the centre of our conversation. With empowerment, all of them can be like Mr Hilton a shoeshiner who finally owned Hilton hotels. Welcome Tinga to the Hustler movement,” he said.
Raila had told Boda Boda operators to use Boda Boda business as a stepping stone to other bigger things through Saccos and schemes.
Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika termed the Boda Boda riders meeting by President Uhuru Kenyatta an imitation of Ruto’s hustler narrative.