Every morning, Kevin Kiplagat, a resident of Flamingo in Nakuru County, begins his day by paying Sh30 for a bicycle boda boda ride from his home to his workplace in the Nakuru Central Business District.
Although various types of transportation are available – motorcycles, tuk-tuks, and matatus – Mr. Kiplagat has persisted in utilizing bicycle bodas exclusively for the last two years. In his opinion, bicycles are superior choices, being both more affordable and safer in comparison to motorcycles which are prone to dangerous accidents in the hands of negligent operators. Commercial bicycle bodaboda catering for a specific client group occupies an important niche in Nakuru city. The riders assert that retiring their service would interrupt their client base.
Despite the presence of modern technology in motorcycles, many bicycle bodaboda owners continue to operate, as they are able to efficiently and competitively navigate through traffic, passing slow-moving vehicles. For nearly five years, Otieno, a 40-year-old cyclist, has been plying his trade on the roads in Nakuru. Otieno shifted gears into the bodaboda industries after being fired from his workplace in Nyanza, the region he considers home. Using his savings, he wisely invested Sh9,000 in a new bicycle to support his family. This decision has proven fruitful since he entered the business in 2019. Despite motorcycles being faster and more in demand, Otieno has noticed that many clients prefer bicycles due to their safety and affordability.
In his eyes, bicycles provide a means of livelihood for those without the means to purchase motorcycles. Moreover, he believes that bicycles offer a cleaner, non-motorized transportation alternative compared to motorbikes and cars, which emit harmful gases. On a daily basis, Otieno earns approximately Sh400 by transporting passengers. However, on a particularly good day, especially on weekends, he can make up to Sh700. This income has allowed him to provide an education for his children, a feat made possible by his work.
Another cyclist, Zachariah Mutua, had to resort to this industry after his shop was burgled. Seeking ways to support his family, he borrowed a bicycle from a friend at a daily cost of Sh100. It took Mutua a year to save enough money from his work to purchase his own bike. For the last three years, Mutua has been carrying passengers from his designated spot close to Taidys Hotel. Along with 12 other riders, he is making a living out of this trade, supporting his family and his children’s education costs.
Mutua recognizes the fierce competition within the cycling industry. However, he points out that each rider has their own clientele. He commends the healthy dynamic between cyclists and motorbike riders. These days, Nakuru is a bustling centre for cyclists who run logistical errands and transport people and parcels around. This shift has allowed individuals to earn a living through bicycle boda bodas, a mode of transportation that was traditionally associated with Western Kenya. On November 30, 2021, former President Uhuru Kenyatta granted Nakuru a city charter, making it the fourth city in the country to achieve this status, joining Kisumu, Mombasa, and Nairobi.
