Boda boda association fires back at Makau Mutua

A heated exchange on Friday, April 25, 2025, unfolded online after constitutional lawyer Prof Makau Mutua called for a total ban on the boda boda sector, describing it as a national security threat.

In a strongly worded response, the Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya fired back, accusing Mutua of “clout chasing” and peddling doublespeak.

The association, which represents thousands of motorcycle riders across the country, posted its rebuttal on X, saying:

“Double Speak Man, it seems you don’t know what you want, but chasing clout. Our chair was very clear, we need a progressive law.”

The comment was in response to Mutua’s earlier tweet, where he branded the association as a “dangerous cartel” and claimed the proposed Public Transport (Motorcycle Regulation) Bill would be ineffective.

“They want to continue their reign of chaos, death, and mayhem on our roads. The only solution is to BAN them!” the professor posted.

His remarks sparked mixed reactions online, with some Kenyans agreeing with his sentiments over growing insecurity and lawlessness on the roads, while others criticised him for taking a dismissive tone toward a sector that employs hundreds of thousands.

Boda boda sector scrutiny

The boda boda sector has increasingly come under the spotlight, with concerns over poor regulation, accidents, and cases of harassment and crime involving rogue riders. In recent weeks, Parliament has been debating the Motorcycle Regulation Bill, which seeks to streamline the industry through mandatory training, licenses, and SACCO registration.

While Prof. Mutua insists that regulation won’t work and believes the industry should be outlawed entirely, the association says it has actively participated in consultations to shape a more responsible framework.

“We are not against regulation,” the association’s Chairperson had earlier stated during a stakeholder forum. “But banning an entire sector that supports millions of livelihoods is not the answer. What we want is order, not erasure.”

Boda bodas have become the backbone of Kenya’s informal transport network, especially in rural areas and congested urban areas. According to the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), the sector moves over 20 million passengers daily.

However, this rapid growth has come with problems. NTSA data shows that motorcycle-related fatalities remain among the highest contributors to road deaths annually.

Still, banning the entire sector remains controversial. Analysts argue that instead of criminalising the riders, the government should strengthen training, introduce insurance requirements, and enforce traffic rules.

Prof. Mutua has yet to respond to the association’s remarks. But with the conversation gaining traction online, it’s clear that the boda boda debate is far from over, and likely to heat up further as Parliament deliberates on the bill.

For now, the push and pull between intellectual voices and grassroots operators continues, raising a fundamental question:
Can regulation fix the chaos, or are we simply delaying the inevitable?

Proposed Motorcycle Bill

At the heart of the ongoing boda boda debate is the Public Transport (Motorcycle Regulation) Bill No. 38 of 2023, sponsored by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale. The bill is now headed for its second reading in Parliament — and it’s already stirring emotions on both sides.

If passed into law, the bill will introduce sweeping changes that will directly affect how millions of boda boda riders operate.

Key among them:

1. Only one adult passenger is allowed per trip

2. Strict safety requirements, including proper helmets and reflective jackets for both riders and passengers

3. Limits on cargo, banning loads exceeding 50 kilograms

4. Designated parking zones to eliminate the current congestion in urban areas

5. Mandatory training and licensing, ensuring all riders understand traffic rules and basic road safety