An ambitious vehicular innovation showcased by Laikipia County at the Devolution Conference in Kirinyaga is all the rave on social media.
The mini car is the brainchild of Samuel Gatonye alias Njogu, a Nyahururu-based, self-trained innovator who transformed a two-wheel bodaboda into a four-wheel tuk-tuk christened “Laikipia BJ 50”.
Njogu, as he is popularly known, has successfully assembled two units of Laikipia BJ 50 and already has about a dozen orders for the Sh450,000 innovation.
Each has a capacity of 7 passengers including the driver and a luggage capacity of 500 kgs with a maximum speed of 70km per hour.
The innovator has been receiving support from the Laikipia County Government. Other stakeholders working closely with Njogu are Numerical Machining Complex, Gear Box Kenya, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology Laikipia University and The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS).
While the BJ-50 has been proving to be a hit at the Devolution Conference, it has been the butt of jokes on social platforms.
Here are some photos and some reactions from the Twitter online community.
Made in Laikipia pic.twitter.com/sWf91KGEfY
— Droid (@droid254) March 7, 2019
When you need a 2 in 1 car. Both box car and a lunch box or a box lunch.
— Gladstone (@theratheman) March 7, 2019
I’m all for “start somewhere “ but this is just straight laziness!
— Black Bruce Wayne (@Blckbrucewayn3) March 7, 2019
???… That is not made in Kenya! However this is made in Kenya . pic.twitter.com/Fv6eOOQikm
— Tito (@V_Chancellor) March 7, 2019
This is fucking hilarious . I though it was a toy car at first glance. ??? and the price. I won’t take it if it’s free
— Ađéđiméji???? (@DeeTwoGd) March 7, 2019
Thanks. I will trek
— Snarky Comebacks (@Comeback_snarky) March 7, 2019
That shit just gave me an incentive to walk and be healthy
— ThatQuestionMark (@ArapWalta) March 7, 2019
Is that a match Box ? ??? $4500 lol
— Bigdanokwy (@DanielDaray) March 7, 2019
They aren’t made in Kenya but in Laikipia County, Kenya. They are making us all look bad.
— Hon Kuria CBS (@OptaHos) March 7, 2019
Someone said inaitwa BJ because it sucks. https://t.co/or6Mh6f6v0
— Mutinda? (@brianmutinda_) March 7, 2019
Delete this please ?? pic.twitter.com/lcAWfSerHF
— For the Throne 254?? (@Jpaul254) March 7, 2019
@UKenyatta: The third pillar in my #Big4Agenda is Manufacturing. We will raise manufacturing sector contribution to GDP from 8.5% to 15%.
Laikipia: Hold my beer… pic.twitter.com/tBUBGtd3Nh— Javan Onguru™ ?????? (@OnguruMeister) March 7, 2019
The power of self belief…. Laikipia OnTheMove. pic.twitter.com/0nZTq8XvIT
— Ndiritu Muriithi (@NdirituMuriithi) March 1, 2019
