New Tough Regulations Proposed To Tame Boda Boda Menace in Kenya

In a move to regulate the bustling boda boda sector in Kenya, the Senate Roads and Transportation Committee has introduced several amendments to the Public Transportation (Motorcycle Regulations) Bill, 2023. Sponsored by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, the Bill aims to streamline operations, enhance safety, and curb the rogue elements within this widespread transport mode.

Branded for Visibility and Regulation

Under the proposed changes, commercial motorcycles, or boda bodas, will now bear specific color bands as mandated by county governments. This branding initiative is designed to make it easier for law enforcement to distinguish between commercial and private motorcycles, thereby simplifying regulation enforcement.

Number Plates on Both Ends

Another significant amendment requires boda bodas to display registration number plates at both the front and back, akin to motor vehicles. Owners of existing motorcycles have been given a three-year grace period to comply, while all new motorcycles must adhere to this rule immediately.

Public Service Vehicle Status

The committee has also recommended that all motorcycles used for public transport be inspected and officially registered as Public Service Vehicles (PSVs). This move underscores the need for regular safety checks and adherence to operational standards akin to those of larger transport vehicles.

Safety and Training

Addressing the alarming statistics from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), where boda bodas have been linked to the highest number of road fatalities, the Bill proposes mandatory training for riders. Between October and December last year alone, nearly 800 lives were lost in boda boda-related accidents. To mitigate such incidents, the legislation requires that all riders complete an approved training course before they can legally operate.

Cooperative Membership

The Bill further stipulates that all boda boda operators must be part of a registered cooperative society. This provision is intended to foster better organization, responsibility, and collective support among operators, potentially reducing criminal activities and enhancing sector governance.

Legislative Empowerment

The committee also pushes for amendments allowing counties to develop their own specific legislation tailored to local needs, thereby promoting more effective regulation at the grassroots level.

Current Landscape

With approximately 2.5 million registered boda bodas in Kenya, of which 1.8 million are active, the proposed regulations come at a critical time. The sector not only faces safety challenges but also issues related to licensing and criminal activities, which this Bill seeks to address through stringent measures.

As the Bill progresses through the Senate, stakeholders from the boda boda community, county governments, and transport authorities will be keenly watching its implementation, hoping for a safer and more regulated future for one of Kenya’s most ubiquitous forms of transport.