Mercy Nduati
The growing need for boda bodas has attracted Asian motorcycle dealers into Western Kenya.
Dealers like Yamaha, Honda, Bajaj, Kingbird, Lifan and TVs brand have set a shop in Kakamega, Busia and Kisumu to increase sales in the towns where residents mainly rely on boda bodas as a means of transport.
Statistics from Kenya National Bureau of Statistics shows that 125,508 motorcycles were not sold last year compared to 93,970 units the previous year as demand rises.
Honda which is the latest entrant in the region opened assembly and service plant in Kisumu last month with plans to stock new motorbikes and spare parts.
Honda representative to Kenya Shansuke Miyazaki said the region is good for investment adding that Kisumu assembly and service plant will also serve as a service station for other brands of motorcycles, saving transporters extra costs of going out of the town for service.
Though the biggest competitor in the region is Yamaha, a franchise of Toyota has unveiled new designs targeting boda boda operators. The company has also introduced the crux 100 cc model motorcycle, targeting 100,000 riders in the region.
It is also set to release a financial plan that eases the burden of having to make one off payments during purchase that will reduce the risk of motorbike riders from losing a job with current employers.
Extract from BD
