The Boda Boda and tuk-tuk transport sector was among the hardest hit in the highlights of the 2019/2020 budget.
Treasury CS Henry Rotich on Thursday proposed that boda bodas and tuk-tuks be required to have an insurance cover for passengers and pedestrians.
“This mode of transport has proven to be very risky to the riders, passengers and even pedestrians. Further, Mr. Speaker, the accident victims, who are mostly from the lower cadres of the society, are left to seek financial assistance for treatment from friends and relatives since these boda bodas are not insured,” said Rotich.
“In order to mitigate against these risks, Mr. Speaker, I propose to amend the (Motor Vehicle Third Party Risks) (Certificate of Insurance) rules to require all passenger-carrying boda bodas and tuk-tuks to have an insurance cover for passengers and pedestrians.”
Statistics from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) indicate that this year alone, 1,293 people lost their lives in road accidents by May 4, this year.
According to the NTSA report, boda boda accidents claimed 374 lives with 250 being motorcyclists while the remaining 124 were pillion passengers.
Pedestrians killed were at 485.
Other sectors hit hard in the 2019/2020 budget are alcohol lovers and smokers who will shoulder an excise duty of 15 percent in new government tax measures.
At the same time, gambling is also targeted as CS Rotich proposed a 10percent excise duty on every amount staked.
“The tax policy measures in this budget are expected to generate an additional Ksh 37billion, in tax revenue to the Exchequer,” said Rotich.
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