If you think January was a tough month for you, then you are mistaken.
The business community in Gilgil town especially the boda boda operators have breathed a sigh of relieve saying the month has been one of the toughest.
A majority who spoke to this writer confined to having used their personal savings to pay their employers so as to maintain a good working relationship with them.
They said the sector was among the few that felt the severe effects that usually accompany January over the years.
“I almost gave up on this boda boda business for not meeting my employer’s target of Sh300 a day. Even making Sh100 was a real huddle,” offered Ndung’u Nderitu, who has been in the business for eight years.
Ndung’u, who fully depends on the business to fend for his family of four and also save for the future, said crime levels were on the rise in Gilgil town because of the harsh reality January had brought to many youthful riders who wanted to live large but had no money.
“Youth unemployment is a real issue in the country; times like this are usually very harsh to our young counterparts a majority of who resort to crime so as to get that extra coin. For the last two weeks, we have witnessed two boys here killed because of perpetuating crime,” he added.
The riders were speaking on Sunday at a meeting aimed at forming a Sacco that will help them flush out criminals who pose as boda boda operators before pouncing on unsuspecting customers.
Area MCA Jane Wangui last week instructed police to mount a crackdown against unscrupulous boda bodas to tame the rising cases of criminal activities in her ward.
“If the boda bodas don’t want to join registered saccos, they should not be allowed to operate because some of them are taking advantage of the rest to facilitate crime, we will not allow that,” she warned.
The sector is among the biggest employer of youths not only in the area but the whole country as well.