Impact of Motorcycle Taxi on the Emergence of Other Related Business Activities in Siaya District

Abstract

In Kenya there has been a significant increase of motorcycle taxi business since 2005 to date. This has resulted into diversification in transport industry and the competitive framework amongst the key operators in the industry. Past studies dwelt on the impact of commercial bicycle taxi on the revenue of other industry players yet little is known about the effect of motorcycle taxi on other related business activities in Siaya district. The purpose of this study was to establish the impact of motorcycle taxi on emergence of related business namely: spare parts trade, motorcycle mechanics, filling stations, and other traders within Siaya District. The study objective was to identify new businesses which have emerged as a result of motorcycle taxi. Multi stage sampling procedure was used to determine the sample size. A sample survey of 18 spare parts traders, 9 filling stations, 6 mechanics and 60 other traders were interviewed. Primary data was used for the study which was collected using structured questionnaire. Descriptive statistics were used to show the extent of variable relationship activities. The study revealed a strong relationship between motorcycle taxi and emergence of sale of spare parts, motorcycle mechanics and filling stations activities. This was evident in the fact that 55% of spare parts traders, 27% of filling stations and 18% of mechanics traders agreed that their business was dependent on motorcycle taxi. The study established that many business emerged after the significant motorcycle taxi business and they existalongside each other as revealed in 38% sale of spare parts, 36% others and 11% motorcycle mechanics. The study concluded that there are many businesses which emerged after motorcycle taxi entry and that they exist alongside each other. Findings of the study will help the government in formulating and implementing policies on issues concerning motorcycle taxi and other related business. Further research can be done in the area of financial management among motorcycle riders.

Influence of Boda Boda Riders’ Behaviour on Road Safety and Socio-economic Well-being of Lodwar Town Residents in Turkana County, Kenya

“…Studies elsewhere show that commercial motorcycle transport is a male-dominated business (Konings, 2006;Mahlstein, 2009). This concurs with the findings of Okonda et al (2015) and Olawo (2014) showing that boda boda riding is dominated by males. This is because of the nature of the activity, which requires some extra energy since, in some cases, one may need to carry heavy luggage.…”

“…It implies that most of the boda boda riders were aged between 20-29 years. This represents a large proportion of Kenyan youths who are jobless (Okonda et al, 2015). These results indicate that most of the boda boda riding is largely dominated by youths who are in agreement with findings from other studies (Olvera, 2007;Okonda et al, 2015;Opondo, 2018).…”

“…This represents a large proportion of Kenyan youths who are jobless (Okonda et al, 2015). These results indicate that most of the boda boda riding is largely dominated by youths who are in agreement with findings from other studies (Olvera, 2007;Okonda et al, 2015;Opondo, 2018). The findings from the study done by Luvinga and Kilasara (2020) reveal that a high percentage of the youths engaging in boda boda business are aged between 19-30 years (Luvinga and Kilasara, (2020).…”

“…It did not focus on the influence of boda boda rider's traffic behaviour on Road Safety socio-economic well-being of Lodwar town residents in Turkana County. Okonda et al (2015) researched on impact of motorcycle taxis on the emergence of other related Business activities in Siaya, not rider's behaviour on the socio-economic well-being of town residents. Rugut (2015) on determinants influencing the performance of alternative public transport in Nakuru County focused on the livelihoods of youths, not accidents in the entire public transport sector.…”