Uhuru issues new bodaboda directive
By Judy Jerono
In order to boost the country’s first responder capacity in the country, President Uhuru Kenyatta has ordered training of at least 200,000 bodaboda operators.
Speaking on Thursday at the All Saints’ Cathedral in Nairobi County when he attended the investiture ceremony of St. John Kenya, Uhuru directed the Ministry of Transport to collaborate with the St. John association to commence the exercise.
The Head of State noted that the training on first aid will build the room of the country’s first responders stating that, under the new program, boda boda riders will be able to protect themselves and offer assistance to the government in case of an emergency.
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File image of President Uhuru Kenyatta. |Photo| Courtesy|[/caption]
Uhuru had previously ordered a crackdown on the boda boda sector. However, the crackdown was later suspended by the National Police Service to allow time for consultations.
“Enforcement of Highway Code Compliance by Public Transport Motorcycles has been arrested. It is about giving the government the opportunity to revamp the sector through a multi-sectoral committee working on an implementation framework,” the police said at the time.
Police, however, maintained that the ban would remain in effect in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD).
Uhuru, who is also the chief patron of St. John Kenya, commended the association for its excellent service to the country. He awarded 31 members of the association for their service and sacrifice towards making the lives of Kenyans better.
At the same time, Uhuru directed the Ministry of Health to establish a cooperative framework to co-opt the St. John Ambulance 26,000 volunteers to strengthen primary health care, emergency preparedness and response interventions.
“Let the Ministry of Health facilitate the establishment of a national trauma center and support the equipping of highway trauma centers to further strengthen collaboration with St. John Ambulance,” Uhuru said.
Uhuru applauded St. John Ambulance for the service they provide in the country especially in handling emergencies.
“This feat was achieved through exemplary work that straddles various volunteer services including ambulance services, highway emergency response, first aid and safety training, healthcare advocacy kindergarten, among others,” he said.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said his ministry considers the Order of St. John as a valuable partner in the country’s healthcare system.
CS Kagwe noted that the spirit of volunteerism from St. John has now taken root in the Ministry of Health through community health volunteers
File image of President Uhuru Kenyatta. |Photo| Courtesy|[/caption]
Uhuru had previously ordered a crackdown on the boda boda sector. However, the crackdown was later suspended by the National Police Service to allow time for consultations.
“Enforcement of Highway Code Compliance by Public Transport Motorcycles has been arrested. It is about giving the government the opportunity to revamp the sector through a multi-sectoral committee working on an implementation framework,” the police said at the time.
Police, however, maintained that the ban would remain in effect in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD).
Uhuru, who is also the chief patron of St. John Kenya, commended the association for its excellent service to the country. He awarded 31 members of the association for their service and sacrifice towards making the lives of Kenyans better.
At the same time, Uhuru directed the Ministry of Health to establish a cooperative framework to co-opt the St. John Ambulance 26,000 volunteers to strengthen primary health care, emergency preparedness and response interventions.
“Let the Ministry of Health facilitate the establishment of a national trauma center and support the equipping of highway trauma centers to further strengthen collaboration with St. John Ambulance,” Uhuru said.
Uhuru applauded St. John Ambulance for the service they provide in the country especially in handling emergencies.
“This feat was achieved through exemplary work that straddles various volunteer services including ambulance services, highway emergency response, first aid and safety training, healthcare advocacy kindergarten, among others,” he said.
Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said his ministry considers the Order of St. John as a valuable partner in the country’s healthcare system.
CS Kagwe noted that the spirit of volunteerism from St. John has now taken root in the Ministry of Health through community health volunteers What's Your Reaction?
