Creating employment through transport; the Youth and Motorcycle ( Boda Boda ) in Kitengela, Kjiado County.

Abstract

It is widely recognized that young people have been among the most adversely affected by the current economic crisis in Africa and the world. The youths have reduced chances of getting jobs into the formal sector. Due to the above situation, the youths are engaging in a variety of activities for ‘survival’. In Kenya, the motorcycle (boda boda) transport is a form of employment that is giving job opportunities to many young people at a time when the world is facing global unemployment problems. Transport is an important component in both rural and urban development programs and an enabling element for the achievement of Millennium Development Goals. This is in terms of creating employment for the young people and facilitating movement of goods and services. Utilizing a sample of 50 motorcycle (boda boda) riders in Kitengela, the study examined motorcycle (boda boda) as a form of employment for the youth. The main objective was to determine the role of (boda boda) motorcycles in employment creation for the youth in Kitengela, the study looks at whether (boda boda) motorcycles have improved the financial wellbeing of youths in Kitengela. The study demonstrates that youths can create employment through their innovative initiatives. The significance of this study is in filling a gap in literature. In addition, it suggests what the government and other stakeholders can do to ensure that the transport sector that is creating employment for the youth is made more efficient and safe. Convenience sampling was used. Qualitative data was coded and summarized and categorized in themes. SPSS was be used to analyze quantitative data. Data was presented in pie charts, bar charts and frequency tables.