Kenya's Parliamentary Committee: Using NG-CDF Funds for Boda Boda Helmets

• The Parliamentary Committee on Transport has proposed using part of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) resources to boost road safety initiatives in Kenya.
• NTSA services are currently limited in geographical reach, with many Kenyans forced to travel long distances for basic services.
• The proposed use of NG-CDF resources for helmets and road safety campaigns would add a constituency-level intervention to existing government measures targeting motorcycle-related crashes.

The continued loss of lives on Kenyan roads requires additional interventions at the constituency level, particularly in areas where boda boda transport is widely used.

The Parliamentary Committee on Transport has proposed using part of the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) resources to boost road safety initiatives in Kenya. This proposal comes amidst a persistent number of road crashes involving motorcycle riders, despite government interventions. The committee's chairperson, George Kariuki, suggested that MPs partner with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to provide safety equipment for boda boda riders and pillion passengers. This would be an additional constituency-level intervention to existing measures targeting motorcycle-related crashes.

The proposal was made after the committee assessed the digitization of NTSA services and held talks with the Authority's management on efforts to improve road safety and service delivery. The continued loss of lives on Kenyan roads has prompted calls for more effective interventions, particularly in areas where boda boda transport is widely used.

The limited geographical reach of NTSA services has been a major concern, with many Kenyans forced to travel long distances to access basic services. Nakuru Town West MP Samuel Arama criticized the situation, saying that citizens are paying taxes like any other Kenyan but still have to endure the burden of traveling hundreds of kilometers for services. The committee challenged NTSA to intensify road safety education and awareness campaigns while taking its services closer to the public through greater decentralization.

NTSA Director General Nashon Kondiwa acknowledged that Kenya is facing a road safety crisis, citing inadequate funding as one of the challenges facing the Authority. He stated that expanding services would enable more Kenyans to access NTSA services without traveling long distances.

The proposed use of NG-CDF resources for helmets and road safety campaigns would add a constituency-level intervention to existing government measures targeting motorcycle-related crashes. MPs argue that prevention efforts must reach riders and communities directly, rather than relying solely on national initiatives. The Parliamentary Committee later toured the Authority's modernized vehicle inspection centre in Likoni, Industrial Area, where members assessed service delivery and progress at the facility.

The continued loss of lives on Kenyan roads requires a multifaceted approach to road safety, involving both government measures and community-level interventions. The proposed use of NG-CDF resources for helmets and road safety campaigns is an important step towards reducing motorcycle-related crashes in Kenya.

Lawyers advising clients on constituency development funds should be aware of the proposed use of NG-CDF resources for helmets and road safety campaigns, which may impact their clients' obligations to provide safety equipment for boda boda riders and passengers.

Source: Original reporting via MPs urged to use part of NG-CDF funds to boost road safety