Sparky Kenya urges govt to ban plus-size Kenyans from being bodaboda riders
By Steve Ireri, December 5, 2025Microblading expert and TikTok creator Sparky Kenya has called on the government to implement regulations that would prevent plus-size individuals from working as bodaboda riders, arguing that body size can affect passenger comfort.
Speaking in a TikTok video on Thursday, December 4, 2025, Sparky said that some riders who are plump make it difficult for passengers to sit comfortably, particularly when riding pillion.
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According to Sparky, the discomfort arises because heavier riders can restrict space, limit mobility, and make it challenging for passengers to see or breathe easily during rides.
“Actually, it’s not out of malice, but I feel that bodaboda riders should consider the comfort of their passengers. When someone becomes very large, it makes it difficult for the pillion passenger to sit comfortably, and sometimes the passenger can’t even see ahead or breathe properly,” Sparky said.
Sparky suggested that riders should consider the comfort of their passengers and that a person’s body size should be taken into account when operating as a bodaboda rider.
He proposed that the government introduce rules similar to those governing airline staff, where there are requirements regarding the physical appearance of crew members.
He argued that such regulations would ensure that bodaboda riders maintain a certain slim body shape, thereby improving passenger safety and comfort.
“I think the government should introduce a rule where if a bodaboda rider becomes overweight, they should be reassigned to services like Uber instead. Some riders are so big that it becomes uncomfortable and even unsafe for passengers,” the cosmetician added.
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Sparky emphasised that his remarks were not intended to offend but rather to highlight issues of passenger convenience and the need for professional standards in the industry.
He said that some riders have grown too large to comfortably transport passengers and suggested that overweight riders should be reassigned to alternative services, such as cab-hailing platforms, where the physical demands may be different.
“It should be like how airlines regulate the physical requirements for flight attendants, bodaboda riders should maintain a certain shape, ideally slim, to ensure passengers can ride safely and comfortably. This is not meant to offend anyone, but to highlight the issue of passenger comfort and safety,” he added.