Hundreds of boda boda riders in Homa Bay County could be rendered jobless if they fail to comply with traffic rules that take effect on May 1, 2019.
Among the rules they are expected to follow are, having a rider’s licence, wearing reflector jackets, boots and helmets. .
The regulations, were set last year by the Ministry of Transport to reduce road carnage.
However, an outcry by boda boda riders made the ministry to extend the deadline for compliance until May 1 this year. But most of the riders in Homa Bay are yet to abide by the regulations.
According to county boda boda chairman Ken Dede, most riders risk being removed from the road because they have not applied for licences.
“Most of the riders went to backstreet training schools, which do not help them get licences. They risk being arrested when the regulations take effect,” he said Thursday.
Mr Dede said only about 30 per cent of the riders in the county have complied with the regulations, since most operate the motorcycles on behalf of others.
“Most riders do not own the motorcycles they operate. They do not have the money to pay for lessons in proper training schools,” he said.