The boda-boda industry in Homa Bay County has come under increasing scrutiny due to the rising number of accidents, many of which result in injuries and loss of life. Residents are expressing growing concern that what was once seen as a convenient and affordable mode of transport has become a daily risk to both riders and passengers.
A major cause of the accidents is speeding. Many operators race against time, competing for passengers along busy routes such as the Oyugis–Kendu Bay Road and the Homa Bay–Rongo Highway. This rush for business often leads to reckless driving, with devastating consequences.
Another worrying factor is the widespread disregard for road safety regulations. Despite laws requiring the use of helmets and reflective jackets, compliance in Homa Bay remains very low. Riders often avoid helmets to save costs, while passengers complain about hygiene and comfort. The result is a sharp increase in head injuries that doctors say could have been avoided.
Equally alarming is the fact that a large number of riders lack formal training. Many have never attended accredited driving schools and instead learn informally from friends or relatives. This lack of professional training contributes to poor road etiquette, wrong overtaking, and general disregard for traffic signs and lights. Road safety officers warn that such gaps in training are directly linked to the preventable crashes being reported almost daily.
Hospitals in the county continue to bear the brunt of the crisis. Emergency wards are frequently filled with victims of boda-boda accidents, many suffering from broken limbs, head injuries, and life-threatening trauma. The strain on healthcare services is a constant reminder of the urgency to address the situation.
Community leaders, police, and boda-boda associations are calling for a multi-pronged approach to restore safety on the roads. Suggested measures include strict enforcement of helmet and reflective jacket use, mandatory training and licensing of all riders, speed controls on highways, and widespread awareness campaigns targeting both riders and passengers.
Although county authorities have invested in empowering boda-boda groups economically, residents believe more focus should now be directed toward safety campaigns. For many families, motorcycles remain the most accessible and affordable means of transport, especially in rural areas. However, the convenience they offer continues to be overshadowed by the growing risk of injury and death.
The danger posed by boda-bodas has reached alarming levels nationally. In just the first quarter of 2025, more than 400 lives were lost in motorcycle-related incidents, averaging five fatalities every day. Unless urgent safety interventions are put in place, residents fear the situation will only worsen.
