The latest push by the government to have boda boda riders undergo fresh training at the National Youth Service (NYS) has stirred the hornet's nest.
Speaking to the media, Kenya Association of Driving Schools chairman Samuel Kariuki expressed concerns over the whole plan.
'If the government wants to kill or take over the driving school sector it is okay. However, where did the NYS instructors receive their training?" he asked.
"We had to undergo special training to become instructors for which we each paid Ksh 30,000 to be certified as an instructor," he added.
The test application fee costs Ksh700, plus an additional Ksh750 for the exam administered by the NTSA.
To cap the new wave of fees, the government has made it mandatory for everyone to register and get the new smart Driving Licence. This costs at least Ksh3,100.
Kariuki alluded to the entire plan being driven by individuals with questionable motives.
The latest initiative is part of reforms by the government to streamline the boda boda sector. This comes after the launch of the Collective Investment Scheme by President Uhuru Kenyatta last week.
Following the new orders, no rider will be allowed to use the road without a license, and will be registered with Boda Boda Information Management System (BIMS) as the government seeks to rein in rogue operators.
According to the new curriculum, discipline and obedience to traffic laws and the highway code are the key issues to be addressed in the training are.
Watch Samuel Kariuki's interview below:
RIDERS TRAINING STANDOFF:
— tv47 (@nftaIienfrens) October 31, 2020
The Kenya Association of Driving Schools is appealing to the government to consider driving school operators in a consultative approach to road safety in the country.#TV47PwaniStudio #TV47News pic.twitter.com/3oaPQ3Hp7E
