KIGALI - Effective from today, all taxi-moto operators across the country will have their helmets fitted with hygiene-enhanced gear to protect passengers from contracting skin related diseases.

The gadget called Smart Cover Head will be placed inside the helmet and will be disposed after single use.

This follows an agreement between the City of Kigali, the Ministry of Health and members of various motorcyclists’ associations.

The meeting took place earlier this week at the Nyamirambo Regional Stadium, where taxi-moto operators in Kigali City were briefed on how the gear is used. 

Speaking to The New Times shortly after the meeting, Anastase Balinda, the Managing Director of East African Cleanliness and Health Company, which will supply the items, said that each head cover will cost Rwf 50.

"The main objective is to protect passengers because several have complained about contracting diseases from sharing helmets,” Balinda said.

He noted that his company has, so far, shipped in four containers of the materials from China saying that each container has 1,400,000 smart covers.

The Traffic Police Chief, CSP Celestin Twahirwa, called upon all passengers and motorcyclists to use the smart cover heads.

He also asked the operators to avoid over-speeding and always carry passengers with helmets on.

Ruth Rwiririza, a resident of Kimisagara sector, who frequently uses the taxi-motos said she was happy with the development. "This is a wonderful initiative because most of the helmets have been unclean and dangerous.”

Innocent Kwizera, an operator said the new gear would help them attract more passengers since some do not use motorcycles because of dirty helmets.

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