This practice has sparked concern among community leaders and local organizations, who are urging parents to refrain from involving their underage children in such activities.
The boda boda industry, known for providing affordable and accessible transportation, has unfortunately seen a rise in cases where children, some as young as 13 or 14 years old, are being tasked with operating motorcycles.
This is not only illegal but also poses significant risks to the safety of these young operators and the general public.
The school holidays, meant to be a time for rest and relaxation, are now being exploited by some parents as an opportunity to increase household income, at the expense of their children's well-being.
In Bungoma County, Alex Kisuya, the chairperson of the local boda boda association, has voiced strong opposition to this practice.
He highlighted that there has been a noticeable increase in accidents involving young operators, many of whom lack the necessary skills and experience to safely navigate the roads.
"This is wrong and has led to increasing cases of accidents," Kisuya remarked, emphasizing that the dangers associated with allowing children to operate motorcycles are far too great to ignore.
The issue is not isolated to Bungoma alone. Similar cases have been reported in other parts of the country, including Malindi.
Here, students have been found engaging in the boda boda business during their holidays, often with the encouragement or direct involvement of their parents.
This has raised alarms within the local community, prompting calls for more stringent measures to protect children from being exploited in this manner.
The boda boda associations across these regions have taken a firm stand against this trend. They have urged parents to allow their children to focus on their education and enjoy their holidays without the burden of adult responsibilities.
"They should be allowed to focus on their studies so that they can get a chance to have access to better work opportunities, rather than ending up working as boda boda riders as well," the association emphasized.
The message is clear: education should be the priority, and children should not be forced into labor, especially in high-risk jobs like boda boda operations.
The dangers of children operating boda bodas are manifold. Apart from the obvious risk of road accidents, there is also the psychological toll that comes with being thrust into an adult role at such a young age.
Children involved in such activities may experience high levels of stress and anxiety, which can negatively impact their academic performance and overall development.
Additionally, the physical demands of operating a motorcycle can be overwhelming for a child, leading to exhaustion and other health issues.
In response to this growing concern, the boda boda associations have pledged to take decisive action. They have warned that any parents found to be allowing their children to operate motorcycles will be reported to the authorities for legal action.
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