Bodaboda operators in Kisii County have been asked to embrace savings and credit cooperatives (Saccos) so as to improve their living standards.
Speaking on Monday during the launch of a bodaboda sacco at Suneka Social hall in the outskirts of Kisii town, nominated ward representative, Grace Nyabwari said the bodaboda business was a job like any other as it contributes greatly to the economy.
She said operators in other regions have developed through Saccos, thus time had come for those in the county to be empowered economically.
She revealed that through the initiative, the operators will form groups of five in their areas of operation where each bodaboda will be saving Sh300 a day for them to be able to access loans and buy their own motorbikes in three months time.
“We want to make sure that everyone here has his own motorbike and is self-employed in less than six months depending on their savings,” she said.
She also asked the operators to change their attitude towards their own safety and not focus on the monetary gains.
She said the operators have had a tendency of driving recklessly; overloading passengers while others are involved in ferrying armed robbers, a thing that has tainted their image.
She called upon all saccos to embrace loans so that each and every youth saving can get a loan which is payable.
More than a 100 bodaboda operators were registered during the event.