Incidences and implications of road traffic accidents among commercial motorcyclists in Embakasi area, Nairobi County

Abstract

The emergence of boda-boda motorcycles as a means of transport has brought a new dimension to road safety in Kenya. The rising trend of motorcycle accidents has raised serious security concerns among citizens in general and security agents in particular. This study examined incidences and implications of road traffic accidents among commercial motorcyclists in Embakasi area in Nairobi County. Specifically, the study examined prevalence of road traffic accidents among commercial motorcyclists, factors responsible for road traffic accidents among commercial motorcyclists, and implications of road traffic accidents among commercial motorcyclists in Embakasi area. The study was anchored on the Rational Choice Theory and System Approach Theory as explanatory frameworks. This study was descriptive in nature. Sample respondents were boda boda riders. The sample respondents were 135 members of boda boda operators. Key Informants were selected purposively. The study utilized interview schedule with both open and closed ended questions administered in a face-to-face interaction. This was used to collect quantitative information on general knowledge, perceptions, opinions and experiences from sample respondents. Key informant interview guide was used to collect qualitative information from individuals believed to hold pertinent information regarding incidences of road traffic accidents among commercial motorcyclists in Embakasi Area. Qualitative and quantitative methods of data analysis were utilized. Quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences and the information collected was presented in frequency and percentages. Qualitative data was analyzed by way of interpretation of responses obtained from key informants. All information from the analyzed data was presented thematically based on study objectives. Research findings revealed that, motorcycle accidents were prevalent in the study area. In addition, this study established that more than half of the motorcycle accidents were attributed to preventable human error that ranged from over speeding (93.7%), wrong overtaking (63.5%), drunkenness (26.8%) and overloading (19.0%). Implications of the motorcycle accidents included damage to property, medical costs, injury, death, crime, and loss of livelihood. The study recommendations include: mandatory registration, refresher training, testing of boda boda riders and concerted public road safety awareness.