Title: The role of commercial motorcycles in alleviating poverty in rural areas: a case study of Laikipia East Sub-County, Kenya

Authors: F.M. Karema; Evaristus M. Irandu; J.M. Moronge

Addresses: Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197-00100, Nairobi, Kenya ' Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 5207-00200, Nairobi, Kenya ' Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract: The study examined the contribution of commercial motorcycles in alleviating poverty in rural areas with specific reference to Laikipia East Sub-County, Kenya. The specific objective of the study was: to examine the contribution of commercial motorcycles in poverty alleviation in Laikipia East Sub-County. The hypothesis tested was "there is no significant difference between previous employment and commercial motorcycles contribution to poverty alleviation in Laikipia East Sub-County". Questionnaire survey was administered to 66 respondents. Thorough literature search and review as well as field observations were used. Data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. Descriptive analysis included frequency counts, tables, bar graphs, pie-charts and percentages. The Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was used to test the hypothesis. The study found out that commercial motorcycle contributes 10% towards poverty alleviation in Laikipia East Sub-County, and that key activities which had come up as result of commercial motorcycle ridership generated gainful employment. The study recommended that the county government should: rehabilitate the roads and construct motorcycle lanes; train and emphasise on best practices on motorcycle operations; and, establish well updated and accurate data base on commercial motorcycle activities to enhance their contribution to poverty alleviation and sustainability.

Keywords: non-motorised; commercial motorcycles; poverty alleviation; Bodaboda; mobility; Kenya; rural areas; case study; motorbikes; employment; sustainability.

DOI: 10.1504/WRITR.2017.082733

World Review of Intermodal Transportation Research, 2017 Vol.6 No.2, pp.155 - 176

Received: 02 Mar 2016
Accepted: 04 Oct 2016

Published online: 09 Mar 2017 *

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