Internal Security Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo during an event in Vihiga on July 3, 2026/MINA
Hundreds of boda boda operators in the Western region are set to recover their motorcycles after Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo directed police to release all bikes impounded over what he termed petty traffic offences.
Omollo acknowledged that many operators had been deprived of their livelihoods after their motorcycles were detained for minor infractions such as failing to wear helmets or operating with expired insurance.
"Based on what your local leaders have shared today, there are still many impounded motorbikes sitting in our police stations. You find that someone was arrested simply for lacking a helmet or forgetting to renew their insurance," the PS said during a consultative meeting with boda boda leaders in Vihiga County.
"Since the Regional Police Commander is present with us today, I am directing that all motorbikes currently held at our police stations on account of these petty offences be released immediately without any conditions or restrictions," he added.
The directive is expected to provide relief to many boda boda operators who depend on their motorcycles as their main source of income. Riders have repeatedly complained that prolonged impoundment over minor offences leaves families without income while disrupting transport services in many rural and urban centres.
Omollo's meeting with boda boda leaders formed part of a broader working tour of Vihiga County focused on strengthening security, improving governance and enhancing service delivery.
Earlier in the day, he chaired a security briefing attended by members of the Regional Security Intelligence Committee, the County Security Intelligence Committee and local leaders from Emuhaya Constituency.
The meeting reviewed the prevailing security situation in the region and discussed measures to improve coordination among security agencies.
The PS also held consultations with National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs), including Assistant County Commissioners and chiefs from Emuhaya and Luanda sub-counties.
The discussions focused on improving service delivery, strengthening coordination within the national administration and enhancing the implementation of government programmes at the grassroots.
Later, Omollo presided over the official opening of the Emuhaya Sub-County Headquarters at Hobuyaya in Emuhaya Constituency.
He said the government remains committed to operationalising gazetted administrative units to bring public services closer to wananchi.
According to the PS, the new headquarters will improve administrative efficiency, enhance security coordination and response, and strengthen engagement between government officials and local communities as part of ongoing efforts to deepen effective governance across the country.
