George Aketch, the chairman of bodaboda operators in Awasi and Chemelil has asked the county government of Kisumu to improve the existing infrastructures before demanding taxes.
Addressing journalists on Tuesday at Awasi market, Aketch raised concerns over the poor state of roads as well as lack of bodaboda shades and toilets at the market, noting that the operators are forced to relieve themselves in sugarcane thickets.
“What has the county done for our bodaboda operators? The county should call us any time they want to put up something for us but not implementing things without our decision,” said Aketch.
“We don’t have shades, we have bad roads and no toilets. For instance, when we want to relieve ourselves in this market we must run to the sugarcane thickets, which is not in order,” he added.
Edward Okeyo who is an official in the Kisumu bodaboda sector noted that the Kisumu County Government should put up good roads to enhance smooth bodaboda operations before implementing new tax laws.
“The problem we have as bodaboda operators is that there is no money in this business. We would like to pay taxes but before it happens, the governor should construct the roads,” said Okeyo.
A number of Kisumu county bodaboda operators have raised concerns over bad roads which they say bar them from meeting their daily targets especially when it rains.
The operators now want Governor Anyang' Nyong’o to ensure roads in Kisumu are in good shape, arguing that the bad roads are damaging their motorcycles which they acquired through loans.