Boda Boda Hotline, Registration Of Riders, Saccos – Gov’t Outlines Measures To Streamline Rogue Sector In 60 Days

The government has outlined some of the measures it has put in place to help regulate the out of control boda boda sector in the wake of the sexual assault of a female motorist last week in Nairobi.

Speaking during a meeting with boda boda riders in Nairobi, Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i said the government has formed a special team to facilitate the streamlining process within the next two months.

“We will begin with vetting all the riders. All riders must have smart licences and you must all be in saccos,” he said.

“Soon we shall give you a boda boda hotline where you can report certain things we need to know, slowly but surely we’ll improve this sector.”

The CS said the saccos, similar to the matatu saccos, will help identify each rider adding that they all must have smart licenses for easier identification promising that the process will be free of charge.

“We want to use this as the fastest way of removing the wrong people from the boda boda sector,” he said.

The team, Dr. Matiang’i said will be chaired by Interior PS Karanja Kibicho and will include ICT PS Jerome Ochieng, Transport PS Joseph Njoroge as well as NTSA and all government registration agencies.

“We do not want any hitches, we want when you go to Huduma Center to register, if there is any document you don’t have, you will find it there,” he said.

At the same time, the CS tasked the Nairobi Regional Commissioner William Thuku to begin monthly forums with boda boda leaders.

“Effective this month, we want to begin your monthly forums with boda boda leaders. The first one I will attend it myself together with IG Mutyambai and PS Kibicho. It must be at a place where these people talk to us on what their issues are, We want to listen to your ideas as well on how to improve the sector,” Dr. Matiang’i said asking the riders to speak out if there are rogue riders who are protected by powerful people in government.

He also revealed the police will be done with investigations by Friday on the sexual assault case that has angered the nation right from the president who demanded a total crackdown.

He also asked the riders to stop what he termed as the “silly culture” of torching people’s cars when there are issues.

Matiang’i commended boda boda riders in Nanyuki and Nyeri for using their earnings to better their lives.