Bandari Sacco has partnered with Ethiopian taxi hailing startup, Taxiye to empower Boda Boda operators from Mombasa county.

Speaking during the official launch of the partnership, Bandari Sacco Chairman Ken Sungu said this partnership will see some of the operators own their own motorcycles unlike the current situation where most of the operators don't own the motorcycles that they ride.

"It is sad to note that most of our Boda Boda Operators do not own the commercial motorcycles they ride. They belong to other parties who have employed them on a retainer basis." said Sungu.

Adding "The partnership we are launching today seeks to empower the riders so that they can become real stakeholders in their business." 

Through the partnership, Boda Boda operators will receive financing  to purchase Motor bikes and Saloon cars at affordable prices within a  favorable repayment period and also obtain easy access to protective riding gears, riding licenses and insurance cover.

The partnership also seeks to develop a culture of Savings among the Boda Boda Operators.

Sungu noted "Bandari Sacco provides a good savings plan that offers high dividends and interest on deposits that will enable the Boda Boda operators to diversify into other enterprises and have  multiple sources of income that will cushion them against economic down turns such as those witnessed during the COVID 19 Pandemic."

Also present at the launch was the firms’ Chief Executive Officer Eve Maina who said they will be providing the operators  with motor cycles and vehicles through a lease to own business model adding that for as low as Ksh.250 daily the Boda Boda  operators will be able to own their own motorbikes and a smart phone for their operations.

It will partner with the Boda boda Association of Kenya (BAK) and plans to supply the association members with 300,000 motorbikes in the next 5 years.

Payment period will range between three to 18 months.

The firm joined the Kenyan market in September 2020.