Accident rates involving boda boda motorcycles have decreased in Limuru constituency within Kiambu county.
This reduction is attributed to ongoing road safety campaigns conducted by traffic police.
Boda boda rider Isaac Njenga on Thursday stated that traffic police have been providing guidance on proper road conduct.
Njenga mentioned that several years ago, numerous fatal and minor injury accidents were frequently reported.
He explained that Limuru features numerous tarmac roads where they operate, including the Nairobi-Nakuru highway, Mutarakwa-Ndeiya road, Limuru-Rwaka road, and Limuru-Kiambu road, among other county-maintained paved roads.
“Currently, traffic officers don’t necessarily need to arrest us. Unlike previous years, no one flees when we see them,” Njenga said.
Area traffic base commander Chief Inspector Agripina Lugonzo explained they developed a strategy of engaging with boda boda riders weekly to educate them about traffic regulations.
She noted they typically visit riders at their parking stages to discuss road safety matters.
“Even during our safety campaigns, we sensitize them at least weekly. We visit at least two parking stages. They ask numerous questions and we discuss road safety with them,” Lugonzo said.
She revealed they have expanded the sensitization to include all road users, as when they visit boda boda stages, they invite donkey riders, bicycle riders, pedestrians, and nearby private and public service vehicle drivers since all are road users.
“Nowadays, we involve all road users. We aim to hold sessions that attract as many road users as possible. Traffic regulations should be known by everyone,” Lugonzo said.
Traffic police in the area visit all wards in Limuru, specifically Tigoni Ngecha, Limuru East, Limuru Central, Bibirioni, and Ndeiya.
Samuel Maina, Kamirithu boda boda secretary, commended the traffic police for going the extra mile in educating them about road safety as a means to reduce accidents of all kinds.
“We have lost many people in accidents that could have been prevented. We are happy because many of us now understand issues we didn’t know despite having attended driving school,” Maina said.