Nairobi, May 26 -- The rising fuel prices have cut boda boda and tuk-tuk operators' margins, leading to reduced demand for motorcycle sales.

Car & General, one of the major sellers of motorcycles in the country, says it has seen a 53 percent reduction in sales of two-wheelers (boda bodas) and three-wheelers (tuk tuks) during the six-month period that ended March.

The Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed firm says there has been a fall in the daily take-home earnings by riders in an environment of rising fuel prices and subdued consumer demand, hurting the demand for new motorcycles.

"Motorcycle purchases have been affected by lower consumer purchasing power which has reduced the daily utilization of 'boda boda'," said Car & General.

"Th...