This archive report was first published on 24 June 2021.
On June 24, 2021, the Ministry of Health announced revised Covid-19 containment measures, which have had a devastating impact on the boda boda industry in Kisumu.
The measures, combined with a series of demolitions carried out by the Kisumu county government, have led to a significant decline in business for boda boda operators in the region.
According to James Otieno, a boda boda operator, the drop in economic activities in Kisumu has resulted in a severe cash flow crisis. 'To say the truth is business is down on us. Majority used to work at night, but now everything has changed. There is no cash flow due to these new containment measures together with the demolitions done by the county government of Kisumu,' he said.
Many of the demolished places used to serve as sources of income for the boda boda operators, as the owners of these businesses were their customers. The riders claim that it is now hard in Kisumu, as many of those who owned businesses in the city have turned to boda boda business after their premises were brought down by the county government.
Emmanuel, another boda boda operator, echoed Otieno's sentiments, saying, 'As you can see, this sector has a bigger number, and many continue to opt for this. Those who owned business premises in this city have turned into motorbike business, life is hard.'
The boda boda operators have cried out to the government to find a mechanism to help them solve the challenges they are facing in the sector.
