Arise Media 
BY RITA MUTHONI
Bodaboda operators in Kirimari Ward of Embu County have called for the verification of all insurance providers to eject the rogue ones in the market.
Expressing vehement dissatisfaction with what they perceive as exploitative practices and lack of accountability, the operators have demanded swift action from regulatory authorities to address their grievances.
The agitation comes amid arrests of bodaboda operators by police officers for working without insurance covers among other traffic requirements.
“Before arresting our people, they should understand why many of us have no covers. We have many rogue insurance providers who don’t honor their commitments and must be ejected from the market,” said Kirimari ward Bodaboda chairman John Kavuri.
The chairman noted that the reluctance to enroll in insurance schemes is not born out of apathy but rather a rational response to the failure of many insurance providers to honor their commitments.
Many Bodaboda operators in the region allege that many companies fail to deliver on their promises of adequate compensation in the event of accidents or injuries.
This erosion of trust has led to a notable decline in enrollment rates as operators weigh the perceived risks and benefits of insurance coverage.
“The exploitation of Bodaboda operators by unscrupulous insurance companies cannot be tolerated any longer,” Kavuri added.
On Saturday evening, the operators staged demonstrations outside the Embu police station demanding the release of their colleagues arrested earlier in the day.
During the demos, operators rejected the injunction issued by Traffic officers, requiring them to have all traffic requirements in 24 hours to continue operating on the roads.
The requirements include valid driving licenses, insurance covers, reflector jackets, and two helmets.
“Before giving out orders, the officers should have met all the stakeholders including bodaboda operators. We were not involved in the decision-making process,” the chairman noted.
At the same time, riders raised concerns over the impracticality of fulfilling the requirements within a limited timeframe.
“It is also impractical to fulfill the requirements, particularly during weekends when access to necessary documentation and services is severely constrained,” said Kelvin Macharia, a rider.
Peter Macharia, another rider, urged authorities for an extension, citing logistical constraints and practical difficulties.
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