The boda (motorcycle) taxi transport sector constitutes a significant part of Kenya’s public service vehicles and has over time become a key source of employment for thousands of young people in Homa Bay County as is the case elsewhere in the country.

While the sector provides employment, the hoped-for genuine financial independence remains out of reach for most operators. Riders transport passengers, deliver goods and connect villages to markets and other places, while supporting countless households wade through their daily financial needs.

For years now, many boda boda riders in Homa Bay County have shared the same dream – to own their motorcycle. To them, owning a motorcycle means more than just possessing an asset and a source of livelihood. It means keeping a larger share of daily earnings, improving household income and gaining greater financial security.

Every morning, they reported to work on motorcycles they did not own.  They spend long hours on the road only to surrender a significant portion of their earnings to owners through daily lease payments.

Without sufficient capital, many operators have also been forced to lease motorcycles or rely on expensive loans that leave little room for savings or investment. The result has been a poverty cycle in which riders work hard but struggle to build assets of their own.

However, the emergence of Savings and Credit Cooperatives Societies (SACCO) loan programmes has proved to be a saviour for most of the riders as it provides them with a viable financial solution by enabling them to access credit and promote savings culture.

According to Chair of Homa Bay Sub-County Boda Boda Association Richard Opiyo, support provided through SACCOs is helping some riders break that cycle of indebtedness. Riders are making the transition from operators to business owners, creating new opportunities for economic growth and self-reliance in one of the county’s most important sectors.

The county government has also supported boda boda operators through the Inua Boda Boda Initiative to which Governor Gladys Wanga disbursed Ksh40 million in form of grants. The funds were distributed in 40 wards with each ward receiving Ksh1 million – a move meant to funds that provide affordable loans to the riders.

This support has given the riders an opportunity to access financing that was previously beyond their reach.

“The government has tried to support us through SACCOs. Riders who wish to access the loans are required to register with a SACCO. The support has helped some members improve their businesses and earn a better living,” he explains.

For some beneficiaries, the loans have represented more than financial assistance, they have become a pathway to ownership.

At Aruja Boda Boda SACCO Transit, members use loans to purchase motorcycles, expand businesses and diversify their revenue sources. Kenneth Buana, the SACCO’s Credit Officer and Treasurer of the Homa Bay Sub-County Boda Boda Association, reiterates that the impact has been significant.

“The loans have changed the lives of many riders. Some have managed to buy their own motorcycles, while others have invested in other income-generating activities,” he informs.

The SACCO, which has 240 registered members, began issuing loans in January 2025 and has already conducted several rounds of disbursements. The transformation is taking place alongside improvements in infrastructure that have made movement easier around the county.

Better roads have reduced movement challenges and opened up new economic opportunities by connecting riders to more customers and markets. Opiyo recalls a time when roads in areas such as Nyalkinyi became nearly impassable during rainy seasons:

“Today many roads have been tarmacked, making it easier for riders to access customers and transport goods.”

For thousands of riders in Homa Bay, the motorcycle is no longer just a means of transport. It is a tool for entrepreneurship and a vehicle for economic growth.

With more than 7,000 boda boda riders operating in Homa Bay town Sub-County alone, demand for affordable credit exceeds available resources. Many operators are still waiting for opportunities to access financing that could help them grow.

Others say additional reforms are needed to make support programmes more effective. Hemstone Otieno Joshua, Assistant Chair of Usiku SACCO Team, says some riders struggle to understand repayment conditions attached to certain loan facilities.

He also highlights insecurity, poor roads in some areas and non-functional street lights as persistent challenges affecting operators.

“The government should improve security, repair roads and ensure that loan programs are fair and transparent so that riders can benefit fully. With more riders gaining access to credit and ownership opportunities, the sector is proving that with the right support, it can be more than a source of employment,” Joshua notes.

With the rise in fuel prices and operational expenses, the boda boda community is calling for increased investment in the sector.

They argue that expanding SACCO funding, strengthening security and improving infrastructure would help more young people build sustainable livelihoods.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Regina Joy and Sitna Omar