NMG partners with Meru County to boost boda boda safety
What you need to know:
Nation Media Group TV brand manager Nickson Kirwa said QTV had given 300 reflector jackets to enhance rider safety.
The operators must also have certificates of good conduct from the police to ascertain that they have not been involved in criminal activities.
Mr Munya said the operators will be given entrepreneurship and financial management skills to enable them grow the business.
More than 400 boda boda riders in Meru have benefited from a safety awareness programme with support from Nation Media Group’s QTV.
The riders were supported during a competition on safety and security initiated by the Meru government other stakeholders.
Hundreds of riders who took part in the rally were flagged off by Meru governor Peter Munya.
Nation Media Group TV brand manager Nickson Kirwa said QTV had given 300 reflector jackets to enhance rider safety.
“It is unfortunate that many people are losing their lives to accidents involving riders. QTV will continue taking part in such safety programmes to improve visibility of riders for their safety,” Mr Kirwa said.
Speaking when he flagged off the campaign, Mr Munya who is also chairman of Council of Governors said the county has already set aside Sh20million to offer free healthcare insurance to the riders through the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
“We have set aside funds to provide health insurance cover for the boda boda operators because most of them are involved in road accidents. Some are unable to pay for NHIF due to their meagre income which makes treatment costly especially during such emergencies,” Mr Munya said.
The operators must also have certificates of good conduct from the police to ascertain that they have not been involved in criminal activities.
The governor said other than offering the health cover, the county will also train operators about road safety.
Accidents caused by motorcycles have been on the rise in the county, with Meru Teaching and Referral hospital receiving an average of three cases every day.
Medics say sometimes the number is as high as six accidents involving both riders and their passengers.
Mr Munya said the operators will be given entrepreneurship and financial management skills to enable them grow the business.
Centum Solutions officer Florence Nduta said there are more than 30, 000 riders in Meru county with only 8,000 of them registered.
“We decided to organise the programme to sensitise the riders on not only safety but how to grow their business. About 17 to 20 riders get killed every month in Meru. If the industry is taken seriously we can improve livelihoods,” Ms Nduta said.
She said Centum Solutions is working with banks, insurance companies and other relevant institutions to enable the riders benefit from the business.
Ms Nduta said the organization is targeting to reach the more than 400,000 riders countrywide with safety and investment education.
