An examination of factors influencing safety within the boda boda transport sector in Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine factors influencing safety within the bodaboda transport sector. The study was restricted to Lang’ata Sub-County as the area typically has a wealth of bodaboda operators. The objectives of the study were to examine to what extent flexibility and accessibility, affordability, employment opportunities and informality influenced safety within the bodaboda transport sector. Data was collected using questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings generally revealed that most bodaboda operators are young males below the age of 30 who in a desperate quest to find employment/incomes opt to engage in the bodaboda transport business. Indeed, the findings revealed that the overwhelming quest for incomes drove most bodaboda operators to unsafe operations including over speeding, non-use of helmets and carrying more than the prescribed one passenger per trip. Lastly the study recommended the formalisation of the sector in order to enhance regulation and management, which in turn will reduce the incidence of accidents in the sector.