Kiambu residents have reacted after Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria announced that he will soon launch a programme to train female bodaboda operators in the constituency.

Is there a story unfolding in your community? Let Hivisasa know

In a Facebook post on Thursday, the MP noted that it was important for young men and women to get involved in the sector, as it was one of the main sources of income for youth in the country.

He revealed that through the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), he plans to train 1,000 ladies to be licenced bodaboda operators.

"In addition, through the CDF we shall train 1,000 ladies including single mothers so they can get licences to ride bodabodas. Through Uwezo Fund we shall then assist them own bodabodas through SACCOs and Self Help Groups," read Kuria's post in part.

The move has however elicited mixed reactions among residents, some of whom have criticised the MP for initiating in the programme.

Here are some of their reactions.

"Great work Mweshimiwa, endelea hivo hivo na Mungu akubariki kwa kazi yako ya kubadilisha Gatundu," Cate Wanjiku said.

"Clear indication of how boy child is disregarded. As a leader, voted in by men and women of Gatundu, I expected you to consider one of the young men who doesn't own a motorbike. Why don't you include young men on your planned training?" asked Sammy Wambugu.

"Keep it up, this is much much better than the tanga tanga nonsense, Kenyans are tired," Edu Sheruu said.

"Within next 15-20yrs almost all youth will be dead & those remaining will have severe chest problems resulting from cold. These bodas came to kill the brains of young men now women have been included. They have made people, youth lazy, they can't do hard work like farming, casual works etc. It's high time government raises tax to prevent more bikes from coming to kill our youth," Davidson Jidzi Real commented.

"Good intentions but limited understanding of empowerment. Let's look beyond bodaboda. Not every youth can be a bodaboda rider," Samuel Kaniu noted.

"Keep it up mheshimiwa especially aiding single mothers to meet their needs," said Jack Omondi.

“That is very shallow reasoning, coz giving a motorbike to somebody is not an issue to brag about. My understanding of what you are shouting about is that 80% of those you represent use bodaboda. If all the youth in your area become bodaboda riders it means the level of education there is very low, where are accountants, nurses, farmers, teachers, etc. Of course, it is hard to sell education and other careers to the youth coz if they become more learned they will not dance to the tune of simple-mindedness politics. It would have been more helpful if you had sponsored an awareness workshop among the bodaboda people to refrain from burning cars and beating motorists when an accident occurs where a motorbike rider is involved,” said John Mburu.

"Bodaboda are death traps for our youth. Please come with better ideas to help our youth and not to kill them on the roads," posted Sam Wangari.

"That's what we call empowerment without discrimination provided someone has the desire to work and make money. Slowly learning from your records mheshimiwa before we move Kangema constituency to the next level where Gatundu is," said John Gikonyo.

#hivisasaoriginal