Description
Introduction:
Road traffic crashes are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Kenya, with motorcycle (bodaboda) riders disproportionately affected. By July 2025, 2,752 deaths had already surpassed the 2024 total of 2,688. Kiambu County reported 32 motorcycle-related deaths in July alone, second only to Nairobi. Given riders’ dual role as frequent crash victims and first responders, this study evaluated a hybrid training model combining smartphone-based learning with in-person instruction.
Methods:
The Bodaboda Safety and Innovation Project was piloted in Kiambu County through a multi-stakeholder partnership. A purposive sample of 200 riders from 20 welfare groups across five high-mortality sub-counties was enrolled via the Rising Stars Africa Boda App. Training was delivered in two cohorts (n=100 each) during a 3-day program covering four thematic areas: road safety, helmet use, first responder emergency care, and digital group empowerment. Instruction combined didactic and practical sessions, supplemented with app-based videos, quizzes, and surveys.
Results:
All 200 participants (85.5% male; mean age 34 years, SD 4) completed the training and post-program survey (100% retention). Most riders (95%) successfully accessed and navigated the app, while 5% were limited by feature phone use. All completed practical skills transfer sessions. Post-training, 93% reported the hybrid model as effective for knowledge transfer, and 98% expressed interest in continued use of the digital platform for road safety and empowerment resources.
Conclusion:
The pilot demonstrates that a hybrid training model for motorcycle riders in Kenya is both feasible and acceptable. Integrating digital and practical instruction enhances riders’ capacity as community-based first responders, strengthening prehospital care and linkages to health systems. This model offers a scalable, cost-effective strategy to reduce road traffic injuries and supports national road safety and health priorities. Further research is required to assess long-term outcomes in injury prevention and system integration.
| Country | Kenya |
|---|---|
| Organization | Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) |
| Position | Founder, BladeDoc Network |
| Received a Grant? | No |
