Bodaboda crackdown weighs on delivery services as bike use grows
NAIROBI, Kenya, March 10 – A crackdown on bodabodas has taken its toll on the delivery industry in Nairobi, with several consumers decrying their frustrations when accessing delivery services
President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered the crackdown on Tuesday following an incident that saw a motorist sexually assaulted in the city.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many Kenyans had opted and become accustomed to delivery services to procure food, drink and even items purchased from online shops.
A preview of the apps reveals that the option to order from Uber Eats and Bolt Foods remains unavailable, informing users that “drivers are very busy”.
Meanwhile, many businesses on social media are speaking out against delays in delivering goods to their customers amid the crackdown that has affected online sales.
Lion watu walikuwa wanatuma uber iwachukulie samaki. There’s been a crackdown around Westie all day. Hata wa jumpers most food apps were not available. Moments like this remind us all how diverse sectors depend on each other to survive.
— BIGFISH🐠 (@osumo_brad) March 9, 2022
I sell car batteries and deliver to stranded customers, but today was bad. I had to ask clients to come to the office or send an uber to pick up for them. Loss for me loss for customers.
— d’Frey (@GodfreySpence) March 9, 2022
My deliveries were delayed for several hours because the delivery person was not available.
— Fo Ngoe (@mainagicheru) March 9, 2022
On the other hand, however, bicycle use is gaining ground with bicycle parking, with Baiskeli Center saying it is overwhelmed with deliveries.
Thread
Yesterday we were completely overwhelmed with deliveries, unfortunately we had to cancel some due to lack of enough riders, we realize the need to add more bikes and riders as the demand for our delivery services is increasing rapidly, we will soon board more cyclists pic.twitter.com/FRjr1dMMGw— Baiskeli Center (@BaiskeliC) March 9, 2022