Tension is rising within Kenya’s boda boda sector as riders across the country threaten mass protests should Parliament proceed with a controversial bill aimed at tightening regulation of the motorcycle transport industry.
Appearing before the Parliamentary Transport Committee, representatives from the Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya (BOSAK) voiced strong opposition to the proposed legislation, describing it as harsh, impractical, and a step backward for the sector.
In their detailed memorandum, the association slammed the bill as excessively bureaucratic, expensive to implement, and in conflict with existing legal structures. Specifically, they criticized the bill for duplicating the role of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), encroaching on county government functions, and risking political manipulation of the sector.
Among the most contentious provisions is the proposal to create 47 county-level Motorcycle Transport and Safety Boards and the compulsory requirement for riders to join SACCOs measures the association argues will inflate costs and open doors to exploitation and corruption.
“This bill attempts to fix what isn’t broken,” the association said in its statement. “It risks pushing riders further into economic hardship by raising compliance costs, increasing confusion, and burdening a sector that has played a key role in job creation and mobility.”
Despite the pushback, lawmakers on the committee urged the riders not to reject the bill entirely. Bureti MP Komingoi Kibet encouraged them to use the opportunity to propose constructive amendments that reflect their realities on the ground.
“You have the chance to influence legislation that affects your daily lives. Don’t just oppose engage with us and shape it,” Kibet said.
Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri echoed the concerns, questioning the need for new agencies when existing institutions like NTSA could be strengthened instead.
As Parliament continues to deliberate the bill, the boda boda sector has made it clear they’re not opposed to regulation, but they want fair, inclusive, and practical laws that support rather than stifle their livelihoods.
