By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 21 May 2026 - A women-led transport movement in western Kenya has received a major corporate boost in a partnership that blends mobility, healthcare and economic empowerment.
Car & General, the East African automotive and engineering firm, has joined forces with TVS Motor Company and Boda Girls Kenya in a programme aimed at expanding safe transport for women in rural communities.
The initiative was unveiled in Ahero, Kisumu County, amid growing concern over maternal deaths, weak rural healthcare access and insecurity facing female passengers in Kenya’s boda boda sector.
In the first phase, Car & General will donate 32 TVS HLX 125 motorcycles to Boda Girls Kenya.
The programme will also provide rider training, helmets and protective gear in line with National Transport and Safety Authority regulations.
The move places the spotlight firmly on Kenya’s informal transport economy, a sector long dominated by men and frequently criticised over cases of harassment, insecurity and lack of regulation.
For many women in remote villages, access to healthcare still depends on whether safe and affordable transport is available.
Boda Girls Kenya is seeking to rewrite that narrative.
The organisation trains female riders to provide secure transport for women and vulnerable groups. It also offers free rides for expectant mothers, women seeking family planning services, cervical cancer screening and survivors of gender-based violence.
Operating across Kisumu, Homa Bay and Siaya counties, the organisation has built a network of more than 160 women riders. The new partnership is expected to accelerate expansion into underserved rural communities.
The initiative also exposes a wider public policy challenge.
Despite repeated government pledges on universal healthcare and maternal care, thousands of women in rural Kenya still struggle to reach health facilities. UNICEF estimates that more than 5,000 maternal deaths and 35,000 infant deaths occur annually in Kenya, with distance and poor transport remaining major barriers.
Speaking during the launch, Car & General General Manager George Rubiri said the partnership reflected a broader social mission beyond business.
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“This partnership is about more than mobility. It is about dignity, safety and saving lives,” he said.
Boda Girls Kenya Chief Executive Nancy Akeyo described the collaboration as a turning point for women in rural communities.
“For years, many women in villages have suffered silently because they could not access safe transport to hospitals and health centres. Some have delivered at home simply because they had no means to travel quickly and safely,” she said.
“This partnership gives hope to women who have been left behind. These motorcycles will not only help us save lives but also empower women economically by giving them dignified and sustainable livelihoods. We are building confidence, independence and trust within communities.”
Beneficiaries who attended the launch hailed the programme as transformative.
Mercy Atieno, a resident of Kisumu County, said the initiative would change the lives of many rural women who often fear using conventional boda boda services.
“This is a game changer for women in the villages. Many women avoid travelling because they fear harassment or insecurity. Having women riders gives us confidence and safety,” she said.
Janet Adhiambo echoed the sentiments, praising Car & General for investing in women at the grassroots.
“We thank Car & General for thinking about women in rural areas. This programme will help mothers, young girls and even families who struggle to access hospitals. It is empowerment in the real sense,” she said.
Public policy analyst Ben Odhiambo says the idea and partnership is very good as it reflects a growing trend among private firms seeking to align commercial expansion with social impact initiatives focused on healthcare, youth employment and gender inclusion.
The TVS HLX 125 motorcycles, known for durability and fuel efficiency, are expected to play a critical role in navigating rough rural terrain where poor roads continue to undermine healthcare access.
The initiative comes as Car & General marks 90 years of operations in East Africa, with the company signalling plans to deepen investments that combine mobility solutions with community development.
In many rural communities, motorcycles are now becoming more than a means of transport. They are increasingly emerging as instruments of healthcare access, economic empowerment and social change.