National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula during an empowerment meeting for young people in Nambale Constituency, Busia County, July 4, 2026/X
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has urged boda boda operators to work closely with security agencies to eliminate criminal elements that have infiltrated the sector, saying insecurity is damaging an industry that has transformed transport and livelihoods.
Speaking during an empowerment meeting for young people in Nambale Constituency, Busia County, organised by area MP Geoffrey Mulanya, Wetang'ula said the boda boda sector has played a vital role in connecting remote areas and improving access to essential services.
He said the industry has revolutionised and enhanced rural transport, making areas that were once considered remote or poorly served by road networks more accessible for people, goods and services.
However, the Speaker expressed concern over the growing number of crimes linked to some boda boda operators, warning that the actions of a few individuals were tarnishing the image of the entire sector.
"I took note of the fact that the industry had been infiltrated by bad elements breeding insecurity, making the sector unattractive and condemned," Wetang'ula said.
While backing initiatives aimed at economically empowering riders, he called on stakeholders within the industry to embrace self-regulation and adhere to established rules.
He urged operators to follow the laid-out rules, regulate themselves and work with security agencies to weed out the criminal elements.
Wetang'ula said restoring public confidence in the sector would require collective action from riders and security agencies to isolate individuals involved in criminal activities.
He maintained that the boda boda industry remains an important pillar of rural mobility and economic activity and should not be undermined by lawlessness.
During the event, the Speaker also appealed to residents of Busia County to support President William Ruto's bid for a second term.
Wetang'ula recalled that he had previously been a strong supporter of ODM leader Raila Odinga, who enjoyed overwhelming backing in the region, but said the political landscape had changed.
"While drumming up support for President Ruto's second term bid, I reminded the people that I was once a fierce defender of ODM leader Raila Odinga who enjoyed overwhelming support from the region for years; this time I urged them to rally behind the President's bid to serve another term and remain firmly in the Broadbased government," he said.
The empowerment meeting brought together young people from Nambale Constituency, where Wetang'ula reiterated the need to strengthen the boda boda sector by promoting responsible conduct and supporting efforts to remove criminal elements from the industry.
