Delivery rider and boda boda jobs in Kenya: what you need and how to get hired

Delivery riders keep Kenyan towns moving: food, parcels, documents, medicine and shop orders. Restaurants, pharmacies, courier companies, supermarkets and online shops all hire riders. This guide explains what you need to get hired and how to choose a good job.

What do you need to become a delivery rider?

• A valid driving licence with the class A sub-class for the motorcycle you will ride. Our guide to driving licence classes explains which.
• Your national ID card.
• A certificate of good conduct. Many employers ask for one because you will handle goods and cash.
• A smartphone, if the job uses an app for orders and directions.
• For some jobs, your own motorcycle, with insurance and a reflective jacket and helmet.

What kinds of delivery jobs are there?

Some riders are employed by one business, such as a restaurant, pharmacy or courier company, and ride the employer's motorcycle. Others work for delivery platforms on their own motorcycle and are paid per delivery. Employed jobs usually give steadier income; platform work gives more flexibility. Read the terms of each before you sign.

How is pay usually arranged?

It depends on the job. Employed riders are usually paid a monthly wage, sometimes with an allowance for fuel or airtime. Platform and commission riders are paid per trip or per delivery, and cover their own fuel and maintenance. Before you accept, ask: who pays for fuel, repairs and insurance, and what happens if the motorcycle is stolen or damaged? Get the answers in writing. Our guide to employment contracts in Kenya lists what a contract should include.

How do you stay safe on the road?

• Always wear a helmet and a reflective jacket, and make sure the motorcycle has working lights and brakes.
• Do not rush to beat a delivery time. A late order is better than an accident.
• Do not carry passengers on a delivery job unless the employer allows it and you are licensed for it.
• Keep cash and goods secure, and follow the employer's procedure for handing them over.

How do you stand out when you apply?

Show you are reliable and know the area. On your CV, list the towns and estates you know well, your years of riding, your licence class and any customer service experience. Employers want riders who deliver on time, look after the motorcycle and are polite at the door. The free CV builder makes a clean CV in minutes.

Where do you find delivery rider jobs?

Monica collects delivery rider and driver vacancies from across Kenya every day. Browse delivery rider jobs, or all driver jobs, and create a free account to get new ones every morning.