Effects of Motorcycle Accidents on Household Livelihood in Vihiga County, Kenya

Purpose: World Health Organization reports that more than 1.2 million people die every year due to road transport related traffic accidents. In Kenya approximately one in every five death is due to road traffic accidents. In Vihiga County, motorcycles are the leading cause of accidents with victims increasing from 140 in 2008 to 338 in 2018. Therefore, the purpose of this paper was to analyze motorcycle accident effects on household livelihood in Vihiga County, Kenya. Methodology: The study was modeled around the system theory. A descriptive research design was adopted with a target population of 140 respondents who were the victims of the road traffic accident were involved using the census technique. Data collection was done using questionnaires and interviews. Validity test was by construct validity while reliability test involved the use of Cronbach’ alpha. Data was analyzed into frequencies, cumulative frequencies and percentages using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 16). The study findings indicated that motorcycle accidents have an effect on livelihoods because families find it difficult accessing basic needs after their bread winner is involved in a road accident. There is an association between motorcycle accidents and access to food with chi-square of 4.487 and p-value of 0.016. Unique contribution to practice and policy: The study recommends that the government should train all riders to impart them with skills that will help reduce accidents and also revise the driving school curriculum in order to seal loopholes that see unqualified motorcycle riders on the road. National Transport and Safety authority to make known to the public blackspot areas especially in Hamisi sub county and ensure safety measures are taken to stop motorcycle accidents. Traffic police department to reinforce traffic rules especially on the use of helmets as most of the injuries that were fatal were as a result of riding without helmets. Ministry of education through the constituency development fund committee to identify children from families with victims of motorcycle accidents and ensure their fees is paid to avoid the high school dropout cases. The government to incorporate NGOs offering humanitarian services to consider including families of victims of motorcycle accidents in their feeding program to ensure they access food. Finally, public campaign to be carried out to sensitize the motorcycle riders on importance of subscribing to NHIF so as to be able to access treatment in case of an accident.