The Motorists Association of Kenya (MAK) has issued a warning to boda boda riders regarding their handling of road accidents in the country.

In a statement on Sunday, September 7, the Assocation said many times when accidents happen involving vehicles and boda boda riders, the blame is quickly placed on the driver, as though it is always the vehicle that “knocks” the rider.

MAK explained that in reality, most of the road incidents are caused by careless riding habits.

The Association said most of the accidents are cause by reckless from the bodaboda riders and not the driver.

He said that such riders should take the responsibility for the roa accidents since they are the immediate cause.

MAK gave an example of how riders wrongly navigate the traffic leading to head on collissions with oncoming vehiecles.

“A boda rider who abruptly joins a road without checking for oncoming traffic, overlaps recklessly, or cuts across lanes is the one who has truly caused his own misfortune. In such situations, it is not the vehicle knocking the rider, but rather the rider colliding into the vehicle,” the Association said.

“The truth is that responsibility depends on who was at fault, and often it is the rider’s risky behaviour that sets the stage for disaster.”

Further, MAK said boda riders should remember that not all motorists are easy to mob and harass after an accident.

It warned bodaboda riders against harassing drivers stating that some of them are armed while others are members of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

Harrassing Security Officers

MAK said harrassing such drivers might lead to severe consquences on the riders.

“Some drivers are armed with legal firearms, whether as licensed private gun holders, DCI officers, or members of the KDF. Reckless provocation may therefore backfire badly, proving that karma always catches up with careless riding,” the Association said.

Boda Boda Riders Burning Vehicles

On the morning of Sunday, September 7, boda boda riders in Thika’s Makongeni estate set ablaze a private vehicle following a road accident near the local police station.

This was after boda boda operators burnt a Public Service Vehicle (PSV) in Luanda area along the Kisumu-Busia highway, Vihiga County, the previuos day.

According to reports, the accident occurred near the Luanda market after the 14-seater matatu reportedly lost control and struck the rider, killing him instantly.

On September 1, a Super Metro bus after it allegedly knocked dead a bodaboda rider in Juja along Thika Road.