Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called on boda boda
operators to avoid recklessness on the road and misbehaviour causing animosity that
leads to them taking the law into their own hands.
Speaking on Tuesday, when he held an engagement with Meru
County Boda Boda representatives and Al-Azizia Football Club players in
Irunduni, Tharaka Nithi County, Kindiki said that while most of them are genuinely
in business, a few others engage in criminal activities, and this is spoiling the
name of the others.
“Most of them are doing business genuinely and are law-obeying, but some are engaging in criminal activities, including reckless use of
the roads. This is just a small clique portraying a bad picture of the boda
boda industry. They don’t follow the law or designated ways, and they spoil it
for all boda boda operators,” he said.
“Reckless riding and violation of traffic rules are not
acceptable. Failure to do so, you endanger your lives and those of other road
users.”
The Deputy President also urged other road users to respect
boda boda operators.
He insisted that the riders enjoy every right like other
Kenyans in the transport industry to do business and eke a living, revealing
that the government will work with them to streamline the sector.
“The same way government supports other forms of transport,
we will also put efforts in supporting the boda boda sector, and we will protect
you," he said.
“We must respect the boda boda riders because they
have the right to make a living like all those in the transport industry."
Kindiki further informed the motorcycle operators that
President William Ruto has heeded their request to suspend the Public Transport
Motorcycle Regulation Bill, 2025, that had attracted contention for seeking to
regulate the sector without their input.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with the operators
to bring reforms in the sector.
“The President has suspended it, and it will not proceed
until we have had adequate consultations. We want order in the boda boda
business,” the DP said.
During the engagement, Kindiki promised to support the boda
boda riders and the footballers as he had indicated earlier, while encouraging
them to take advantage of ongoing empowerment programs funded by the
administration.
“We strongly believe in the ability, vision and talent of
our youth. We have a duty to take care of our country so we can bequeath it a
prosperous nation where they can thrive and raise their families.”
The Deputy President noted that the Kenya Kwanza
administration is also working to streamline the Sports and Creative Industry.
In doing this, he said every constituency in Kenya will get
a sports academy to tap and refine talent,” DP promised.
“We are going to get rid of all cartels in the music and
creative industry to make sure our talented young Kenyans benefit fully from
their creativity and no one exploits them,” he added.
Kindiki urged the riders and the footballers, and youth
across the country, not to be misused by retrogressive leaders keen to cause
mayhem in the country.
“Avoid being exploited by retrogressive leaders who have
nothing to offer but violence and destruction,” he added.
