Boda boda riders across Kenya are threatening nationwide demonstrations if the government proceeds with the implementation of the contentious Motorcycle Regulation Bill currently before Parliament.

The Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya (BBSAK) appeared before the Parliamentary Committee on Transport, strongly opposing the bill and labeling it “retrogressive” and “punitive.”

In their memorandum to the committee, boda boda operators described the proposed legislation as fundamentally flawed, overly bureaucratic, and financially unsustainable.

A core argument from the operators is that the bill duplicates the existing mandate of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), thereby creating regulatory confusion.

They also contend that it undermines the constitutional roles of county governments and risks politicizing a vital economic sector.

Among the key concerns raised during the meeting were the bill’s proposals for establishing 47 county-level Motorcycle Transport and Safety Boards and requiring mandatory SACCO membership for all riders.

The Association warned that such provisions are not only punitive but could also foster widespread corruption within a sector that has been instrumental in Kenya’s economic growth and job creation.

“The Bill is a solution in search of a problem,” BBSAK stated, cautioning that its implementation could significantly increase operational costs for riders, further exacerbate regulatory confusion, and lead to substantial economic setbacks for thousands of livelihoods.

Despite these grave concerns, members of the Parliamentary Committee on Transport largely backed the bill.

They encouraged the boda boda representatives to propose specific amendments rather than outright rejecting the entire proposal.

“You have an opportunity to shape laws that work for you. Don’t dismiss the bill entirely, propose changes,” advised Bureti MP Komingoi Kibet.

Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri acknowledged some of the associations’ concerns, advocating for strengthening existing institutions like the NTSA instead of creating parallel regulatory systems.

However, security concerns were also prominently highlighted by committee members.

MPs Abdi Saney and Hussein Weytan noted the alarming increase in the use of motorcycles in various criminal activities, including drug trafficking, violent robberies, and attacks on civilians.

In response to these security challenges, the Office of the Inspector-General of Police proposed the formation of a multi-sectoral coordination committee. This committee, intended to comprise representatives from the NTSA, the police, the Council of Governors, and rider associations, would aim to facilitate joint planning and enforcement efforts to address both regulatory and security issues within the boda boda sector.

The proposed demonstrations signal a looming confrontation between the government’s regulatory ambitions and the economic anxieties of the widespread boda boda community.