Nairobi, July 17, 2025
Renowned legal scholar and presidential advisor Professor Makau Mutua has ignited widespread public debate after calling for a total ban on boda boda operations in Kenya’s major towns and cities, citing what he termed as “chaos, illegality, and indiscipline” caused by the sector.
In a strongly worded statement shared via social media, Prof. Mutua, a senior advisor to President William Ruto on constitutional affairs, said:
“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.”
The Case for the Ban
Mutua’s remarks appear to align with ongoing frustrations among city planners, motorists, and law enforcement officials who have repeatedly raised concerns over traffic congestion, rising accidents, and criminal incidents linked to rogue boda boda operators, especially in cities like Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu.
Critics of the sector argue that the lack of proper regulation, enforcement, and training among many riders has turned what was once an affordable and efficient mode of transport into a public safety hazard.
Industry Pushback
However, the remarks were met with immediate backlash from stakeholders in the boda boda industry, which supports an estimated 2.5 million riders across the country and indirectly benefits over 5 million Kenyans.
“Banning boda bodas is not a solution. This industry feeds families, pays school fees, and drives the economy. Instead of punishment, we need structure and support,” said James Odhiambo, a Nairobi-based boda boda SACCO leader.
Not the First Call for Regulation
Prof. Mutua is not the first public figure to raise alarm over the state of boda boda operations. Earlier this year, COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli also urged the government to streamline informal sectors like boda bodas, hawkers, and matatus to restore order and discipline in urban spaces.
In addition, Parliament is currently debating the Public Transport (Motorcycle Regulation) Bill 2023, which proposes:
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Mandatory GPS tracking devices on motorcycles
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Riders to belong to a registered SACCO
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Standard helmets and reflective jackets
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Fines or imprisonment for non-compliance
Boda boda groups have already threatened mass protests if the bill is passed without amendments.
Balancing Order and Livelihoods
The larger question now is how to balance urban order with economic realities. For many Kenyans—especially in low-income areas—boda bodas remain the most accessible and affordable means of transport.
Urban mobility expert Mercy Wanjiru warned against blanket bans, calling instead for zoning, digital registration, and rider training.
“What we need is a hybrid approach—regulation, not elimination,” she said.
What’s Next?
While the government has yet to issue an official position on Prof. Mutua’s proposal, the remarks have added momentum to ongoing calls for boda boda sector reform.
With tensions high and livelihoods at stake, stakeholders await clarity on whether the government will support regulation, relocation, or an outright ban in the weeks ahead.