Transformation of Nairobi Boda Boda Riders Underway
Commercial motorcycle riders (boda boda) in Nairobi are set to go through a transformation of character and perception to foster peace, security and national cohesion.
This emerged during a peace forum bringing together 51 boda boda riders drawn from Dagoretti North constituency held at Satellite, Kawangware. The forum, organized by the National Council of Churches of Kenya, is part of an ongoing initiative to heal societal divisions driven by ethnicity, religious and political differences.
“We will not be manipulated along ethnic or political lines any more”, said Alex Kulema, the chairman of the Kenya Bodaboda Association, after the forum. “As bodaboda operators we will champion peace and cohesion in our communities and business places. We will not be associated with violence any more,” he added.
Among the transformations that the riders committed to are observance and adherence with traffic rules and avoidance of vices such as teenage pregnancies, uncleanliness, insecurity and negative political activities.
On his part, His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of the Orthodox Church invited the riders to bring their children to the primary school at the St Sophia Orthodox church for sponsored studies.
