Stress Triggers among Motorcycle Taxi Riders and their Effect on Road Safety Behaviour within Bungoma South Sub-County, Bungoma County, Kenya

Abstract

Motorcycle taxi riders, popularly known as boda-boda riders in Kenya, have become a unique segment within the transport system in urban and rural areas since the early 2000s in Kenya. While their operations remain largely informal, their impact on the economy is significant in terms of employment creation and ease of movement of goods and services. Despite their contribution, boda-boda riders encounter a high-pressure environment and susceptibility to stress. The study examined stress triggers among motorcycle taxi riders and their effect on road safety behaviour within Bungoma South Sub-County, Kenya. The theories of Reasoned Action (1975) and Planned Behaviour (1991) underpinned the study. The sample size of the study was 134 boda-boda riders out of the target population of 450. A descriptive survey design was used. Questionnaires were the principal instrument used for data collection.  Demographically, the majority of boda-boda riders fall within the age brackets of 18 to 30 years (77%), the majority had attained secondary education (54%), and a few had a tertiary level of education (29%). Stress triggers that made boda-boda riders susceptible to risky behaviour, hence compromised road safety, were: - inability to save for the future (47%), fatigue and mental overload (40%) and high daily remittance for ‘rented’ motorcycles (29%). Authors argue that given boda-boda riders’ prime ages and level of education, their option to take boda-boda enterprise as a form of self-employment and source of livelihood can be supported through a subtler policy approach anchored on targeted financial literacy, key on prudent spending and investment choices.