Laikipia boda boda operators warned against noise pollution with modified exhaust pipes

613
Boda boda operators in Nanyuki town receive free facemasks from a well-wisher at a past function. The operators have been warned against modifying their motorcycle exhaust pipes to produce loud noise that they risked prosecution for noise pollution.

Boda boda operators in Laikipia County have been warned that they risk prosecution for modifying the exhaust pipes of their motorcycles to produce a deafening noise.

Laikipia County Boda boda chairman Silas Kimathi said that his association was working closely with the National Environment Management Agency (NEMA) to help apprehend those defying the directive and charge them with noise pollution.

Speaking in Nanyuki town during the launch of Boda boda information Management System being rolled out by the Ministry of Interior, Kimathi lamented  that the loud exhaust pipes were not only a nuisance but had led to reduced business as potential clients shunned the motorcycles due to the noise they produce.

“We have seen hospitals, government offices and businesses such as shopping malls barring our operators from accessing their compounds due to the loud noise, it’s now time we acted and stemmed this once and for all,” Kimathi said.

The  chairman assured his members who number over 100,000 across the county they would register in the new government launched busyboda.co.ke platform  where they were required to key in their details for ease of tracking movement and easy traceability in case of motorcycle theft.

Laikipia County Information, Communication and Technology officer Joseph Kitili who guided the operators on the platform that can be downloaded from Google play store or app store said that it was set to revolutionise Boda boda business as operators can work from anywhere and not necessarily their designated picking points.

“Once you download the application and log in your details, you can then pick a location, set dropping point and also the system calculates the cost the client is supposed to pay. Payment can be in cash or via mobile money transfer,” Kitili said.

He further said that with the application, an operator did not to physically search for clients as they can easily order for Boda boda services online adding that it would help in getting more clients.

Laikipia East Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Esther Mwamure who graced the occasion urged the boda boda operators to work closely with authorities to help in fighting crime as one way of earning trust from clients.

The DCC cautioned the operators against engaging in sex with underage girls noting cases of teenage pregnancies were on the rise in the county.