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Boda boda riders to pay Sh30 daily for insurance cover

Acting CEO of Birdview Insurance, John Paul Otieno flags a fleet of Tuk Tuk during the launch of Maishapoa insurance cover at "Pembe Za Ndovu" along Moi Avenue in Mombasa. [Omondi Onyango,Standard]

An insurance cover has been rolled out for tuk-tuk drivers, boda boda riders, market traders or mama mboga and jua kali operators in Mombasa County.

Birdview Micro Insurance and Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (Sacco) on Wednesday said that in the new plan, drivers and riders will pay Sh30 daily as premiums.

The new plan involves comprehensive medical cover for drivers and families, personal accident protection and funeral insurance.

Speaking during the launch of the plan dubbed the 'Tuttuk Welfare Programme' at the Pembe ya Ndovu in Mombasa County yesterday, stakeholders said the plan was designed to make the insurance cover available to more than 18,000 tuktuk drivers and their families, among others.


Mvita Tuktuk Sacco chairman Mr Benjamin Ochwang welcomed the deal, saying his tuktuks have operated with an insurance cover, and hence they will now be protected.

“We can afford the Sh30 paid as premium per day, and this will ensure that our drivers and their families are protected without the burden of large upfront premiums. Last month, we lost two members because we could not afford the medical bills,” he said.

Obeid Muruli of OO1 Sacco said most tuk-tuk drivers and boda boda riders and their families do not have insurance or medical cover.

“We hope this insurance cover will give these operators peace of mind and hence reduce the number of accidents on our roads,” he said.

Anwar Bujra, chairman of the Salama Sacco, said they have been forced to raise funds for members who are involved in accidents or die in accidents.

“We are going to work with the insurers to make sure that the tuk-tuks are issued with identification codes in an effort to enforce discipline on the roads to reduce the number of accidents,” said Bujra.

He said usually only the machines and passengers are covered by insurers, while drivers are exposed when accidents happen.

Chairman of Litod Sacco Mr Pervin Mmaitsi also welcomed the plan, saying that it will make the sector more organised.

Birdview Micro Insurance director Richard Muiru said they will work with the Saccos to reach out to tuk-tuk drivers and boda boda riders, adding that they are also eyeing the mama mboga and jua kali artisans.

“We are targeting operators and businesspeople at the bottom of the pyramid to ensure they have insurance cover. We are also eyeing Nairobi and other areas for the affordable insurance plan,” he said.

He said they are working with Saccos on measures to reduce accidents and ensure they serve the members better.

Birdview Micro Insurance acting chief executive officer Mr John Otieno said the partnership targets more than 18,000 tuk-tuk drivers in Mombasa alone.

He said the plan will be extended to small businesses and artisans to ensure they also enjoy medical cover together with their family members.

“This programme is the first of its kind in Mombasa, addressing one of the biggest challenges faced by drivers in the informal transport sector: lack of financial protection for themselves and their families.

“By introducing affordable daily premium options through innovative financial solutions, we aim to increase insurance penetration, provide dignity and security to drivers, and create a stronger, safer community,” he said.

He said they are working with the Mombasa county government to ensure tuk-tuk drivers and boda-boda operators have comprehensive insurance cover.