Local news -21.10.2010 - by Emmanuel Erukudi - BodaBoda motocyclists reaction on the license issue

Bodaboda motorcyclists today reacted on the issue that police should arrest those who do not have licenses or PDL cards.
Referring, to the speeches made by the councilors yesterday during the celebration of Mashujaa day,councilors pointed out that most accidents that occur in lodwar are caused by careless driving and lack of driving skills.
The councilors urged the police to see a way of conducting thorough inspection on the issue of license on motorbikes and vehicles.
Speaking to akicha reporter, Mr.Domnic Serwa the secretary for the Boda Boda Association Welfare said that they discussed the issue yesterday with the Lodwar Police OCS Mr. Evans and they agreed on how the BodaBoda welfare association is going to co-operate with their members in order to get their license easily.
The other big issue is politics which crop into the business and ruin their plans that this bodaboda welfare association had for its own progress.He said that some of the politicians here are very arrogant in that they wanted every plan or step taken by this association to pass through them.

Local News -19th Oct. 2010 - Boda Boda members to access loans - By Lokatur Peter

Boda Boda Welfare Association new members have been praised for the good work they are doing since the perception of the Association's new constitution. Speaking to Radio Akicha today at his main office, the chairman of the Association William Kerio, said it is as a result of the good work and dedication by the members that the Association has seen it good to improve their livelihoods by offering them development loans before the end of this year. Besides this, he said the office also plans to bring insurance services for both motorbikes and motor vehicles near its clients at a reduced price than the normal, before this year elapses.Kerio went ahead and cited politics as one of the factors that undermine the activities of the association, accussing the local politicians for meddling into the association's affairs that do not, at any way, concern them.
The chairman further called upon all those wishing to renew their motorbike registration, including those ones without driving licences but with experience, to do so, as the office plans to help them obtain their driving licences from Burget Driving School.

Local News - 6th May 2010 - Blames on Road Construction at Lodwar Town. By Emmanuel Ekuwom.

Lodwar Boda-Boda Association have blamed the government on yesterdays accidents that occurred at national Cereals and produce Board( NCPB ) road involving motorbikes, where one of them by the name Lochii Lopia was seriously injured. One of them was seriously injured but has been discharged this morning from Lodwar District Hospital. Speaking to us, Boda Boda Technical Adviser John Alemu said, the recent accidents is caused by poor road states adding that the state of the road leveling puts the motorists and other road users and pedestrians at great risk. The recent report from the hospital says that Mr. Lopia has been discharged today. He related the two accidents that occurred on Sunday and Monday at mama Atabo and Islamic road respectively, leaving many disappointed with fingers pointed to the government. Councillor Yusuf Ali Muhammed appealed to the public to be careful, not to drive when drunk, and not to over speed. He urged the owners of the motorbikes to ensure their drivers have driving license, and they are insured.

LOCAL NEWS – 17.04.2010 - BODA BODA ADVISED. By Peter Lokatur.

Lodwar-based boda-boda Youth Welfare Association chief adviser, Mr. Paul Eyanae today urged all the boda-boda operators to be keen when riding especially at such a time when the entire region is experiencing heavy rains. Speaking to Radio Akicha reporter in his office, Eyanae said since the rains commenced the roads have been muddy, slippery and many potholes have developed as a result of the floods makes it tricky to ride safely. He called upon the motorists to be very careful when driving around the town so as to reduce the number of accidents in the region.

He added that the government through the municipal council of Lodwar has to do something concerning the worsening condition of the roads linking the larger Turkana region to other parts of the country so as to easen the activities of the business fraternity. He further asked the boda-boda motorists to turn up in good numbers for the acquisition of insurance covers for their motorbikes in the Lodwar main office since the process has been eased. Initially the process has been very much slow and procedures since it involved travelling outside the region but now it has been brought close to the clients.

Eyanae urged Non-Governmental Organisations operating in the region to always remember to boost the activities of the boda-boda youth by offering them financial support.

The heavy rains that have been pounding the country have destroyed infrastructure in many parts of the nation. In Turkana, where most of the consumer goods plus other important items are brought in from various parts of the country, things have been difficult with the damage of Kitale-Lodwar Highway due the deluge. The most affected parts are Marich, Kalemungorok and Kakong. Travelers and business fraternity have called upon the authority to repair the damaged parts to spare them from agony and losses.