Official data shows that although the total number of vehicles registered decreased to 21,137 in September from 22,422 in August, motorcycles accounted for more than half of the registrations at 67.1 per cent in September.
Since last year, the highest registration of the motorcycles ever was recorded in July at 19,875 compared to 15,516 a similar period last year, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
Registration has, however, taken a downward trend from the peak of the electioneering period in August with only 15,012 motorcycles being registered down from 19,875 the previous month.
The popularity of boda boda as a means of transport has been confirmed this year with the sharp rise in the number of motorcycles registered in the nine months to September.
Official data shows that although the total number of vehicles registered decreased to 21,137 in September from 22,422 in August, motorcycles accounted for more than half of the registrations at 67.1 per cent in September.
Since last year, the highest registration of the motorcycles ever was recorded in July at 19,875 compared to 15,516 a similar period last year, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). Registration has, however, taken a downward trend from the peak of the electioneering period in August with only 15,012 motorcycles being registered down from 19,875 the previous month.
The registration was at its lowest this year in September at 14,194.
But the sales jumped 183 per cent in the three months to March after the government made the bikes cheaper with the removal of the Sh10,000 excise duty per unit.
The number of newly registered motorbikes hit 51,139 in the first quarter of the year compared to 18,032 units in a similar period last year.
Data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) also show that motorcycle accidents claimed more than 100 lives in the first two weeks of this year, raising concern over the safety of this flexible means of transport.
The surge in the number of deaths is linked to the proliferation of motorcycles in Kenya and reckless riding.
Boda boda, however, continue to gain a popularity among Kenyans and even foreigners visiting the country as they are able to reach places where other traditional means of transport like taxis and matatus cannot get to and are faster.
Both rural and urban dwellers prefer motorcycles because of convenience.
They are a popular means of transport in urban areas for their ability to beat traffic jams.
Boda boda operators inject Sh400 million into Kenya’s economy every day, according to NTSA manager safety strategies and county co-ordinator Samuel Musumba.
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