Socio-Economic determinants of Boda Boda operators' performance in Kakamega town, Kenya

Abstract

Entrepreneurship involves innovativeness so is the rise of the Boda boda that sought to provide means of transport to the rural population in rural Africa whereby roads are characterised by uneven terrain and poor road network. The Boda boda operators mainly provide a passenger taxi service, although they can sometimes be hired to move goods at a fee. The business is characterised by survivalist operations and is now a major of livelihood for a large number of Kenya youth. The purpose this study was to investigate the socio-economic determinants of the performance of Boda Boda operators in Kakamega Town. The objectives of the study were to determine how the availability of funds, the roads infrastructure, and availability of entrepreneurial training facilities and demographic factors of Boda boda operators influence their performance in Kakamega town. The research questions of the study were; how does the availability of funds influence the performance of Boda Boda operators in Kakamega town? What level does the roads infrastructure influence the performance of Boda Boda operators in Kakamega town? To what extent do the availability entrepreneurial training facilities influence the performance of Boda Boda operators in Kakamega town? And which demographic factors influence the performance of Boda Boda operators in Kakamega town? The study employed the use of descriptive research design. The target population for the study was 1200 Boda boda operators as per the Kakamega Municipal Council records. Using the Krejcie&Morgan Table, a sample of291 was obtained. Simple random sampling technique was used to pick 24 Boda boda operators from each of the 12 main pick up stages within the town. This number was obtained by dividing the sample of 291 boda boda operators by the 12 stages to obtain the above approximate figure of 24 boda boda operators. A questionnaire with both open and closed ended questions was used to collect data from the Boda boda operators. Reliability of the questionnaire was estimated by test re-test method while the questionnaire's validity was estimated by use of face validity which was carried out by the supervisor in scrutinizing the questionnaire. The study used descriptive analysis technique in analyzing quantitative data by use of tables and graphs. Systematic analysis was used in qualitative data processing whereby the data was grouped into themes under study. The study found that the boda boda business was exclusively a male preserve, 70% of the operators range between ages 19-35 years, 68.4% of them had no form of entrepreneurial training and 75.1% were dissatisfied with the state of the roads in the town. The study concluded that boda boda operators needed to access entrepreneurial training through public seminars&youth polytechnics, the bicycle lanes within the town needed repair& further creation of designated stages was necessary. Some of the recommendations of the study were that there was need for revitalization of loan schemes to cater or the boda boda operators' credit facilities, the study also did recommend that strategies be put in place to encourage female participation in the business among others. Suggestions for further study include a comparative study of boda boda operators using motorcycles and replica studies in other towns in Kenya where Boda boda business thrives in order to assess their performance and encourage viable business among the Kenyan youth.