Use Of Ict In Empowering “Boda-Boda” Industry

Abstract

Border trade between Kenya and Uganda in Busia town brought a number of innovations (Malmberg, 1994); one such innovations is use of bicycle and motorcycle as a means of public transport commonly known as “boda-boda”. This innovation has so far provided efficient means of transport to many and double-up as source of income to many youths. Even though it provides income to many, the sector has not been optimized. This study was aimed at finding challenges facing boda-boda as means of public transport, developing ICT solution to solve/mitigate the singled-out challenges, test and evaluated the developed solution in real life situation. Preliminary study was conducted where self-administered questionnaire and Focused Group Discussion were used to obtain data from boda-boda riders and their customers, summary of these data was presented inform of percentages. Variables with higher percentages were considered in developing an ICT solution. Open source android application was developed using RAD developmental architecture. The prototype was then uploaded to a server and download link broadcasted electronically, riders and Customers were to download and installed application on their android phones, manual for operation was available for download that gave users instructions on how to use the prototype. The system required all riders to register hence reducing the number of unknown riders in the sector, this mitigated the challenge of uncontrolled growth as was identified in the preliminary study. Usability testing was carried out at the end of two consecutive weeks of system implementation to understand user’s perception towards the developed prototype and their level of satisfaction. 80% of users strongly recommended the application, with 70% reporting strong satisfaction with system overall functionality. Riders also reported reduced customers waiting time from between 1-2 hours to between 30 minutes -1 hour. 84% of the respondents showed improved confidence on personal security during service provision since the system provided means of personal identification between riders and customers. This research therefore recommended the use of self-sustainable open-source technologies to ensure sufficient controls and measures are put to optimize boda-boda business as a source of public transport. Implementation of this prototype was only done within Dagoretti North constituency there is need to implement it in many areas to understand its long term and geographical outcome in optimizing boda-boda operations.