In recent years, the motorbike taxi has taken off in Kenya. For those without a car, it’s a cheap form of transportation, and the country’s fleet of motorbikes provides an estimated 2.5 million rides every day. As well as being affordable, motorbike taxis (or ‘boda bodas’ as they’re called locally) can get through the traffic where cars can’t. They can reach villages off the beaten track where the roads don’t yet go.
But they’re also dangerous. Drivers aren’t trained, and no special license is required to go into business as a taxi. Motorbikes are often cheap imports from China, and they can be unreliable. They are regularly overloaded. Helmets, if worn, are often substandard. Despite efforts to tighten the rules, motorcycling deaths have risen eight-fold in the last decade.
Dutch social enterprise Koneksie believe they have a way of making the roads safer at the same time as creating jobs and opportunities in Kenya. They’ve designed a motorbike for African roads that will be manufactured in Kenya.
The bike is called the Kibo, and it’s a 150cc workhorse designed with African road conditions in mind. Eight different designs were developed before the right balance was found, resulting in a bike that’s robust but comfortable for a driver and a passenger. It’s built on a trellis frame, making it easy to strap on loads. And here’s the road safety bit – the motorbike comes bundled with a two day driver training package, insurance, a maintenance warranty and a helmet.
As well as the bike itself, the company is setting up a taxi company in Nairobi. It will have well trained and friendly drivers who will model safer driving – and also cater to those who currently shun boda bodas because they are unsafe. The Kibo Taxi Service will provide some healthy competition in the taxi market, encouraging others to improve their safety measures too.
In terms of price, the Kibo is pitched halfway between the quality Japanese imports and the affordable Chinese ones. It’s twice the price of the cheapest bikes, but they only last an average of two years before they’re wrecked, whereas the Kibo should go for a whole lot longer. It should get cheaper too. Currently parts are manufactured elsewhere and the bikes are assembled in Nairobi. As production scales up, more components will be made locally, creating jobs and bringing down the price of the bike.
Motorcycle taxis hopefully won’t be the last word on urban transport in Kenya. But for now, the Kibo is a nice example of design for the 9o% and business at the bottom of the pyramid. And if you’re in Kenya and you want one, here’s the website.
The Earthbound Report 
Having ridden thousands of km on dirt roads in West Africa on a 100cc street Suzuki in the late 70s, I’d say this looks the business. A longer rear load carrier might help. Now why hasn’t anybody bought the rights to make a basic version of the original Landrover Defender in Africa, or indeed, Landrover done so itself?
Yes, although I noticed they’ve left two extra bars right at the end which lend themselves to adapting for extra load carrying.
I was reading about the end of Land Rover production in the UK next year, with a twinge of sadness as that was always our family car in Madagascar. I wouldn’t be surprised if a license or two is granted for ongoing production. There may be better 4x4s out there, but the sheer versatility of the Land Rover is unmatched.
really amazing bike, this is a good choice, I do not have much knowledge about bikes. this is awesome.
what a nc bike
Look great for bad roads.
wow! it sounds great,,
Really an awesome design and wonderful motorbike