A Thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Business Administration (Corporate Management)of the School of Business KCA University
The motorcycle population in Kenya has soured in the recent past with the motorcycle
numbers on Kenyan roads rising to 350,000 units from 30,000 units in seven years (2003
– 2009) according to government economic survey 2009. With the increase in numbers of
motorcycles there has been concern as the riders are major causes of fatal road accidents.
Riders are not properly trained and this compromise riding standards and road safety as
training is inadequate. Motorcyclists can avoid some of the crashes with proper training.
Currently some hospitals across the country are dedicating special wards for crash
victims because of their numbers and frequency.
The research work analyzed and assessed the safety and training needs that the
motorcyclists require in order to reduce accidents on Kenyan roads. The study applied
descriptive research to obtain precise information concerning the motorcyclists in Nairobi
and five of the suburb towns with a population of one hundred motorcycles each.
A simple random sampling procedure was adopted to select the sample of eighty
motorcyclists in each locality after every ten minutes as they arrive at their work stations.
Data was collected using questionnaires containing both structured and unstructured
questions. After the field work, the questionnaires were checked for completeness,
consistency and accuracy then arranged for coding. The data was then transcribed and
analyzed using Microsoft excels to generate statistically inferable information.
It was found out that the motorcyclists are male between ages 16-25years, with good
basic education, who are self employed with half being married. They are not ignorant of
the statutory requirements governing the operations of the motorcycles and they seem to
be aware of all the rules. It was established that less than ten per cent have the requisite
riding license. Although fifty six per cent indicated that they had actually attended a
riding school, only fifty five per cent of those who attended sat for the government test
and only fifty three per cent of the ones who sat for the test passed. This shows that only
fifteen per cent of the motorcyclists have passed the government test with only six per
cent being able to produce their licenses.
