Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called boda boda riders to protect the sector from criminal gangs masquerading as businesspeople.
Speaking at the commencement of Nyandarua County's Boda Yangu Ofisi Yangu training program on Monday in Nairobi, the Deputy President stated that the government is committed to helping the boda boda subsector, a significant driver of the country's economy.
While urging the riders to observe the law, Mr Gachagua stated that the police have been requested to assist them in restoring order to the subsector.
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He said that they informed the police that bodaboda riders are not criminals but rather businessmen. They should be treated with dignity and not be harassed. He implored them to abide by the law and traffic regulations and urged them not to enable criminal groups to penetrate the boda boda business.
The initiative, funded by Nyandarua County Woman Representative Faith Gitau under the National Government Affirmative Action Fund, will instruct 256 riders on National Health Insurance Fund savings and investment, road safety and etiquette, and other soft skills.
Gachagua warned against allowing criminal gangs to create havoc during anti-government protests, notably in the Mt Kenya region, where he said attempts were made to resurrect the proscribed Mungiki criminal group.
He noted that the Ruto Administration invests in small-scale firms in various ways, including adopting electric bikes and implementing the Hustler Fund.
He stated that he will soon meet with the national leadership of the Bodaboda operators to discuss the issues riders have been facing, such as the lack of a database.
The Deputy President stated that while the government was making headway in removing illegal and illicit brews in the Central Kenya region, some governors had become a stumbling block to the operation.
He warned that drunkenness threatened to destroy a generation and families in the region.