MOTHERS DAY: The motivating tale of Mercy Kananu a boda boda rider fending for her children

Women in Kenya have often felt shortchanged when it comes to job allocations and leadership positions.

Some women feel the social system had denied them equal opportunities to men, some have blamed the government for denying them opportunities in men dominated fields, calling for affirmative action that would ensure equitable distribution of positions and resources.

For Mercy Kananu, her entry into the boda boda business was not voluntary, having been a victim of circumstance after the death of her husband six months ago.

Mercy had to go through training for one-month to sharpen her skills before taking over the business that was practiced by her husband.

“I had no choice because I have two children and therefore need to fend for them,” she said.

In an interview on Citizen TV’s Power Breakfast show Thursday morning, Kananu said that the challenges she faces as a female boda boda rider have been too much to bear, with acts of sexual harassment topping the list.

Despite the challenges, however, Kananu stated that she is grateful that she can at least fend for her family without begging for food.

“I had no job and my husband who was the one providing for us died so I had no choice but to take up the business.”

“Some men sometimes just choose to ride on my boda boda so that they can hold me while other refuse to pay me saying they would settle the debt in other ways.”

“In several instances, I have been forced to take up payment beforehand so that we do not argue with clients after I have taken them to their destinations,” she stated.

As a mother, the other challenge I face is getting home very early and getting back home late when my children are already in bed.

Despite working from as early as 7am and till late, the job, Mercy says, cannot raise enough money to settle her rent and her children’s fees saying she depends on well wishers to survive.

@benjaminwafula