The country’s transport sector, a Ksh 1 billion daily income generator employing more than one million people, is set to benefit from new tailored solutions offering connectivity, fuel savings, insurance protection, and financial literacy support aimed at easing operational costs for drivers and riders.
Safaricom announced the launch of ‘Ofa Ya Boda Boda’ and ‘Bundle Ya Deree’ as part of its broader effort to integrate mobile connectivity with economic empowerment for transport operators navigating rising expenses and growing demand for reliable digital tools.
The propositions merge affordable data and voice packages with free access to navigation and ride-hailing apps, keeping operators online throughout their workdays while reducing operational overhead through subsidized insurance covers and planned fuel discounts.
The packages are designed to provide coverage for accidents, illness, or income loss, coupled with road safety training and financial education under Safire Connect forums, where drivers and riders will gain entrepreneurship skills and exposure to digital and AI fluency for long-term income growth.
According to data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics 2025 Economic Survey, the transport sector contributed 4.4% to Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product in 2024, supported by more than 1.4 million registered motorcycles that have become a vital economic engine across both rural and urban areas.
Most riders earn between Ksh 500 and Ksh 1,500 per day, and combined activity in the sector produces Ksh 1 billion in daily revenue, demonstrating its centrality to livelihoods and its potential to drive broader financial inclusion.
Patrick Masinde, Retail Manager at Vivo Energy Kenya, said the initiative responds directly to the strain of rising fuel costs on operators, explaining that discounts on Shell FuelSave Unleaded and V-Power, offered every Friday at Shell outlets, will reduce expenses for drivers already contending with tight margins.
He added that such incentives can improve cash flow for operators, allowing them to reinvest in maintenance or expand their services.
Fawzia Ali-Kimanthi, Chief Consumer Business Officer at Safaricom, said the new offerings align with the company’s purpose to transform lives through connectivity and opportunity, explaining that by packaging safety, insurance, and financial empowerment with affordable devices and data, Safaricom is seeking to deepen its role as a partner in Kenya’s fast-growing transport economy.
She noted that access to 4G-enabled devices allows riders and drivers to tap into broader online opportunities that can expand their earnings beyond traditional transport services.
By addressing cost burdens, safety risks, and financial vulnerability in a sector that remains critical to both employment and economic activity, the launch of Ofa Ya Boda Boda and Bundle Ya Deree positions Safaricom as a facilitator of long-term resilience for operators who underpin Kenya’s urban mobility and rural transport networks.
Boda boda riders can access Ofa Ya Boda Boda by dialing 5448#, while online cab drivers can activate Bundle Ya Deree through 5446#, offering a streamlined process to adopt the benefits as transport operators prepare for another year of fluctuating fuel prices and competitive market dynamics.
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