Kuria Urges Bodaboda Riders To Form SACCOs, Hails Kihika's Sh60 Million Motorcycle Financing Programme

By Suleiman Mbatiah

Trade Cabinet Executive Committee Member Stephen Kuria has urged bodaboda riders in Nakuru County to form organised groups and SACCOs, saying collective action will unlock government support, affordable financing and opportunities to own motorcycles.

His remarks come as the county prepares to roll out a Sh60 million motorcycle financing programme that will allow riders to acquire motorcycles through low deposits and affordable daily repayments.

Addressing thousands of riders, Kuria said operators working through registered groups stand a better chance of benefiting from county empowerment programmes than individuals operating independently across the transport sector.

He noted that several bodaboda SACCOs have already secured county loans, demonstrating how organised groups can improve access to credit while strengthening members’ businesses and long-term financial stability.

“Embrace working as a group. Form SACCOs. This will help you secure loans and avert harassment by police,” Kuria told riders during a meeting on the upcoming county-funded bodaboda programme.

The county-backed financing initiative will require riders to pay deposits from as little as Sh10,000 before making affordable daily repayments spread over more than two years to own their motorcycles.

The first phase targets distribution of 430 motorcycles through a revolving fund, with county officials expecting the programme to expand gradually and eventually benefit thousands of riders across Nakuru County.

Riders choosing electric motorcycles will pay a Sh10,000 deposit covering insurance and protective gear before remitting Sh189 daily for 26 months until they assume full ownership.

Those opting for petrol-powered motorcycles will pay a Sh12,000 deposit and thereafter remit Sh242 daily for 24 months under the county’s flexible ownership programme.

Governor Susan Kihika said beneficiaries will not be limited to minimum daily repayments and may pay more whenever possible, allowing them to clear outstanding balances ahead of schedule.

“Our Lipa Pole plan is structured to remain flexible, allowing riders to operate sustainably while gradually acquiring full ownership through manageable daily payments,” Kihika said.

The Governor said electric motorcycles remain central to the programme because they significantly reduce operating costs by eliminating daily fuel expenses, enabling riders to retain a larger share of their earnings.

She noted that the county initially proposed a Sh5,000 deposit for electric motorcycles but revised the figure after global price increases pushed acquisition costs from about Sh95,000 to approximately Sh130,000.

The financing scheme will operate as a revolving fund, with repayments from current beneficiaries financing additional motorcycles, allowing the programme to expand without requiring substantial new allocations from taxpayers.

Kihika said the county will closely monitor repayment performance among the first beneficiaries before scaling up the programme, with a long-term target of distributing up to 300 motorcycles monthly.

Kuria cited Nax West Riders and City Stage Riders as examples of organised groups benefiting from county financing after securing loans worth Sh1.7 million and Sh200,000 respectively before applying for additional funding.

He also recalled that traders and public transport operators previously faced restrictions within Nakuru’s central business district, saying the current administration restored matatu operations and reopened business opportunities.

The county official encouraged riders to take advantage of county-backed financing programmes, noting that they offer significantly lower interest rates than commercial banks and other conventional lenders.

“If you borrow Sh1 million, you’ll only be required to pay Sh60,000 extra. Banks often demand more than Sh200,000 in interest,” Kuria said while highlighting the programme’s affordability.

Beyond motorcycle financing, the county plans to construct bodaboda sheds at designated stages and expand street lighting to improve riders’ working conditions, safety and passenger security during early morning and night operations.

County bodaboda spokesperson and electric mobility advocate Stephen Mwanda welcomed the initiative, saying affordable financing has remained one of the sector’s biggest challenges for many operators.

“The idea is long overdue, and riders are ready for a system that allows them to clear payments within reasonable timelines while maintaining stable incomes,” Mwanda said.

KCB General Manager David Nyamu said the programme is expected to help riders build assets, improve incomes and create sustainable livelihoods while supporting youth employment and economic growth across Nakuru County.

Kuria urged riders to judge Governor Kihika’s leadership by her development record and encouraged them to support programmes aimed at improving their welfare and expanding economic opportunities.