Boda Boda operators in Nyamira County have a reason to smile after the office of area Women Representative Alice Chae and Yamaha-Kenya agreed on a partnership that will see the operators empowered by getting subsidised motorbikes from the Japanese based company.
The programme will see five sub counties form a group that will initiate a systematic contribution before Chae tops up 50 percent of a single motorbike’s price.
Speaking to the reporter on Phone from China on Tuesday, Chae said the deal will help youths move from job seekers to job creators.
“I think the deal with Yamaha is appropriate because many of the operators are employees of some people. They will start their own contribution after which I will pay 50 percent of the actual price at Yamaha,” she said.
“We want these youths to be job creators in future, and I think the idea is perfect because we will start by motorbike programme, from which they will save money (based on the number of motorbikes they will manage) and perhaps join the Matatu industry,” she added.
County Boda Boda chair James Orindo welcomed the deal terming it ‘exceptional’, and said it will improve the livelihoods of the operators substantially.
“This is an exceptional empowerment by the office of the Women Rep. it shows how she is committed to see us succeeding and as the chair, I am fully behind it and I must ensure it succeeds,” Orindo said.
He also said purchasing of Yamaha motorbikes will reduce fuel and maintenance costs given the model of the motorbikes.