The role of commercial motorcycles in the rural economy:A case study of Laikipia east sub-county, Kenya

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the contribution of commercial motorcycles in promoting agriculture in Laikipia East Sub-County. Primary data was obtained from questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews. The sample size was established to be 61 out of the target population of 153. The objectives of the study were: (i) To determine the contribution of commercial motorcycles in promoting agriculture in Laikipia East Sub-County; (ii) To examine the contribution of commercial motorcycles in poverty alleviation in Laikipia East Sub-County; and (iii) To investigate the spatial distribution patterns of commercial motorcycles in Laikipia East Sub-County. Data was analysed using Chi-square test, Spearman‟s Rank Correlation, Percentages, pie-charts and bar-charts techniques. The first hypothesis of the study was tested by Chi-square (χ2) test and second hypothesis was tested using Spearman‟s Rank Correlation coefficient. The first hypothesis was: (i) there is no significant difference between promotion of agriculture and commercial motorcycles‟ trips in Laikipia East Sub-County. Major findings were: There was a statistical significance in the difference between promotion of agriculture and commercial motorcycles‟ trips in Laikipia East Sub-County. Since the calculated value of χ2 was greater than the critical χ2, the null hypothesis was rejected and therefore a conclusion was made that promotion of agriculture was dependent on commercial motorcycles‟ trips in Laikipia East Sub-County. The second hypothesis was: (ii) there is no significant difference between previous employment and commercial motorcycles contribution to poverty alleviation in Laikipia East Sub-County. Results show that there is a medium positive relationship of 0.318 between previous employment income and the current commercial motorcycle income. r2 was therefore 0.3182. The study found out that commercial motorcycle contributes 10 percent towards poverty alleviation in Laikipia East Sub-County. The study also found out that key activities which had come up as result of commercial motorcycle ridership generate gainful employment and hence alleviating poverty in Laikipia East Sub-county. The study recommended that the county government should rehabilitate the roads and construct motorcycle lanes particularly in Laikipia East Sub-County. It should also train, retrain and emphasize on best practices on motorcycle operations. The government should establish well updated and accurate data base on commercial motorcycle activities for their sustainability.