WINNING ENTRY - IFRTD OPINIONS FAIR (July 2007)

An Idea Whose Time Has Come  by Naboth Juma Okoth

Decent employment may be referred to as a work situation that enables a person to at least maintain him/herself and his/her family above a reasonable poverty line.  Employment is important because more than ninety per cent of people depend on one form of employment to another for their livelihood especially in third world countries where investment levels are still very low.

That rural transport has a direct relationship with employment in any place cannot be overstated.  Any rural area without a developed infrastructure and transport system will only remain closed and poor in spite of boasting valuable resources.  Yet many times many a government does not put conscious efforts into developing rural transport and thus loose the opportunity to improve the life standards of its people by creating more employment. 

In Eastern Africa, Western part of Kenya, the market forces have seen the full introduction of rural transport system, transforming itself from long distance walking to traditional oxen and donkey carts and finally resting in bicycles known as boda -boda which is slowly giving way to motorcycle and tricycle commonly referred to as tuk –tuk.  Over 70% of Kenya land mass is classified as rural and  is largely characterised by poor roads which are only passable during dry weather thus rendering motorised transport very expensive or at times out- rightly impractical.  Again over 51% of Kenyans live below poverty line hence accessibility to motorised transport remains out of reach for the majority due to high fare costs.  This brings a realisation low demand for motorised means of transport which translates into their low incidence and reliability. 

It would be interesting to examine the Kenyan case of Kisumu district where the bicycle has been able to surpass the limitations of existing infrastructure and proved to be a reliable and affordable means of rural transport within a span of less than 10 years, providing direct employment to over 17,000 people 70 percent coming from the rural areas. The bicycle riders earn an average of three dollars a day.   "‘I have fed my family with this business for the last six years.  My children go to school and I have made basic investments" adds Thomas Nyumba of Nguare Bicycle Transporters Self Help group.  Apart from who ride bicycles there are those who invest in purchasing the bicycle but lease it out those who can use them for transport at a daily rate of around one dollar.

Apart from those directly employed in providing transport using the bicycle, there are others who rural transport business facilitate their employment.  They include, bicycle technicians, Bicycle and bicycle spares dealers at all levels, shop keepers, rural traders and merchants just but to name a few. In Kisumu we have about five hundred technician who are fully depending on the bicycle transport operation.  We also have about fifty large shops selling bicycles with at least five employed on each. There are two hundred kiosks selling spare parts with at least one person employed.   

Angelina Agwambo a widow with 4 children operating a food kiosk, asserts, ”The boda-boda people are my husband because they buy my goods and thus provide a livelihood for me and my children.  Other than that they also carry my cooking apparatus from and to my house and Kiosk every day.  Without them I would be doomed. ”   It is estimated that there are over three hundred food kiosks employing an average of four persons, mainly in local market centers, terminals and the parking stages.    The forward and backward linkages provided by the bicycles in this region underscores it importance as an unchallengeable rural employer especially in the informal sector, not to forget that thousands of those who have formal employment are ferried everyday to and from working using the bicycles.

The case of Kisumu is not unique in Kenya let alone Africa.  There are very many forms of rural transport in many parts of rural areas which either directly provide employment, facilitate and/or support employment with great multiplier effects.  Although this sector faces a myriad of challenges which include; poor infrastructure, low technological advancement, lack of clear legal and government policy frameworks, poor access to credit and other financial facilities.  Its is imperative that Multilateral organisations, governments and other development minded outfits must refocus on rural transport if meaningful and all embracing development is to be realised in the world. This includes attaining the millennium development goals. 

There have been several suggestions made to meet the challenges posed on rural transport systems.  The most important being to involve all stakeholders in the planning and implementation of specific actions gearing at addressing the challenges.   Where necessary the government may be required to provide subsidies, motivations and requisite incentives to boosts areas which do not make business sense.  This should be in all spheres include the financial sector (credit schemes), infrastructure development, technology development and transfer etc.

To drive all to wealth creation and economic development, rural transport must be given the wheels.  Already the impetus is evident, but we must continue facilitating it.

This opinion piece was contributed by Naboth Juma Okoth, Nguare Bicycle Transporters Self Help group, Kenya.
Contact: njokoth[at] yahoo.com

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