Kenyan Boda Boda riders launch bike hailing app
The program will work the same way as taxi-hailing apps but with additional services
Speaking in Nairobi during the launch of the app dubbed Juu boda ,the Association's Chairperson Kevin Mubadi said the program will work the same way as taxi-hailing apps but with additional services.
“From the comfort of your seat, you will be able to order a ride, get courier services and enjoy the convenience,” he said adding that they have 800,000 members who are ready to join the app.
The Association has set its eyes on empowering members by opening a financial institution. The association, which says the app will be officially launched end of January, contracted a New Zealand-based company to develop the app.
“We will structure the industry, introduce Sacco’s, financial institutions etc to change it,” he said.
The patron of the association Mohammed Shidiye said the industry has a big potential with over 1.2 million riders across the country.
He added that talks are underway with the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) to provide a facility that will cover their members.
“We are talking with NHIF to provide cover for the riders. We are in the process of making the risky industry safer,” he said.
Shidiye noted that the sector has provided job opportunities for approximately 5 million dependents who rely on the over 1.2 million riders in Kenya.
All riders will have their information included in a database which will indicate their area of operation to make it easy for accountability.
“They have not been getting justice from the Police which has made them take the law into their hands. We are encouraging the members to report the cases of accidents so that the riders don’t have to take laws into their hands,” he said.
The group called on the government to provide additional lanes for motorbikes as they design the urban roads to reduce cases of accidents.
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