Boda boda riders to wear uniforms, undergo fresh registration in new reforms

Riders will now undergo fresh registration indicating their designated operating areas and wear distinct uniforms based on location. 

The regulations also require every stage to have a chairman, who will be held accountable and even arrested if law-breaking incidents involving boda boda riders occur under their watch. 

Just days after a surge in incidents of boda boda riders taking the law into their own hands and torching vehicles whenever accidents occur, as well as being linked to criminal activities, the government has decided to seek a lasting solution.

This comes after the signing of an agreement with the Boda Boda Association of Kenya to enable the implementation of new regulations targeting riders whose conduct has been wanting.

“How do you burn someone’s vehicle because one boda boda rider was hit? There is no solidarity in law. Law is for individuals,” said  Nairobi Regional Police Commander George Seda.

From now on, riders must belong to a registered group and have a stage chairman. They will also receive a new registration number in addition to the NTSA plate, indicating their county, sub-county and passenger stage of operation.

“We are rolling out the registration from today after mapping all areas and stages. If you won’t register, then leave the boda boda sector immediately. Chairman, if an incident happens in your area, we will hold you accountable if you don’t know who was involved,” said Kevin Mubadi, president of the Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya.

Boda boda riders from each sub-county will also have uniforms of specific colours to distinguish them from operators in other areas across the country.

“Each county will have its own registration, including sub-county and stage. If a motorbike commits an offence in Mombasa, we will know it’s from Nairobi, and from which part of Nairobi,” said Fredrick Ochieng, AIG police commander.

But before obtaining this new registration, riders will first be required to have a valid boda boda license, a certificate of good conduct, as well as other requirements, including insurance and two helmets.

“You must first be registered with a stage SACCO, but only after meeting all requirements, including having a certificate of good conduct, so that we know you are not a goon,” added Ochieng.

The move follows the rising involvement of boda boda riders in criminal gangs, theft and torching of vehicles whenever accidents occur, claiming they are denied justice.