Factors determining growth of motorcycle transport in Kajiado county, Kenya

Abstract

A vast majority of people living in East and Central Africa suffer inadequate transport services and a poor road network that strains their economic growth. Intermediate modes of transport that are cheap and affordable by the poor people living in the rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa have become a trend. This study therefore, sought to assess the factors determining growth of motorcycle transport a case of Kajiado Central Sub- County. The study sought to answer the following research questions: What is the influence of financing on the growth of motorcycle transport at Kajiado Central Sub- County? How does government policy affect the growth of motorcycle transport at Kajiado Central Sub-County? What is the influence of informality on the growth of motorcycle transport at Kajiado Central Sub-County? The target population is 3000 respondents; using formulae, the study had a sample size of 300 motorcycle riders from Kajiado Central Sub-County. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires, and 6 research assistants were employed to help in data collection. The data was analyzed by the SPSS software and MS excels where descriptive statistics such as frequency counts, percentages, mean, mode and standard deviation were used. Multiple regression was used to determine the relationship between the independent and the dependent variable. The findings of the study were presented in charts, pie charts, figures, graphs and tables. The study found out that flexibility in loan repayment afforded to motorcycle riders, funds by the government, waiver on import duty, stringent traffic laws, transport sector regulation on compulsory training of riders, government policy in import duty exemption, little capital in starting or running and lack of entry behavior has made many Kenyans jump at opportunity to purchase motorcycle and join in the business. The study concludes that the motorcycle transport sector is growing at a faster rate as the main factors contributing to the growth of motorcycle business which is part of the informal transport sector are the unemployment rates especially amongst the youth, the flexibility of the operations, ease of operation and the ease of acquiring and maintaining motorcycles. The study recommends that motorcycle operators should go to riding schools to improve on their competency and form Sacco’s to handle matters concerning motorcycle operations, regulatory framework should be put in place to ensure the operators pay taxes to the governments and insurance cover for compensation in cases of accidents and government should offer subsidies to those who want to start the business and put strict regulations to control the provision of these services.