An exchange has erupted between the Boda Boda
Association of Kenya (BAK) and President William Ruto's constitutional advisor,
Makau Mutua over the latter's proposal to have riders kicked out of Nairobi
CBD.
In a statement on his X account on Thursday,
Mutua called for the outright ban of all boda bodas from urban centres, citing safety
concerns and disorder.
“I am convinced that all boda boda should be
banned from the streets of all Kenya’s major cities and towns. No modern city
should tolerate such chaos, illegality, terrible aesthetics and indiscipline on
its roads. Absolutely unacceptable!” wrote Mutua.
The remarks drew a sharp response from BAK,
which accused Mutua of undermining a vital economic sector that supports
millions of Kenyans.
“We strongly condemn the recent statement by
Makau Mutua on his social media platforms calling for the banning of all boda
bodas from Kenya’s cities and towns,” BAK said in a statement on Friday.
“Such remarks are not only reckless but deeply
inconsiderate coming from a leader associated with a government that champions
the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), a model that places the
common mwananchi at the centre of economic growth,” the statement read.
The association emphasised the economic role
of the boda boda sector, noting that it supports over 2 million families
nationwide.
“Boda boda is not just a mode of transport; it
is a lifeline for daily income, food, school fees and healthcare,” BAK stated.
BAK stated that dismissing the entire sector
as chaotic and illegal overlooks the role it plays in creating employment and
sustaining local economies, particularly among young people and low-income
earners.
While acknowledging challenges such as safety
and regulation, BAK said the way forward is not to ban the industry, but rather
to implement structured reforms.
“The solution lies in structured engagement,
training, policy reform and investment, not sweeping bans,” the association
said.
They further called on leaders to champion
inclusion and economic empowerment.
In a follow-up post on Friday responding to
BAK’s criticism, Mutua stood by his stance and doubled down on his criticism of
the industry.
“To BAK, I have no apologies to make, or
statement to withdraw. You have become a lawless industry, your riders endanger
lives going in the opposite direction; carrying even up to four passengers at
high speeds, including children; moving without helmets for you and your
passengers; causing accidents everywhere and fleeing the scene or attacking
those you collide with and breaking every known traffic rule,” he wrote.
“Most of you are unlicensed and have no
insurance. Your riders are a menace to society and a blight on our cities and
towns. No modern city or town should tolerate such mayhem and chaos,” Mutua
added.
He concluded by calling on the industry to
operate within the law.
“Kenya is a constitutional democracy. You must
live within the ambit of our constitution and laws, which you blatantly flout
as though you are a law unto yourselves.”
