The Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya (BAK) has issued a response to remarks made by law scholar Makau Mutua who suggested banning boda bodas from major cities and towns.
In a statement on Friday, July 18, the association called the comments reckless, warning that such sentiments threaten the livelihoods of millions of Kenyans.
"We strongly condemn the recent statement by Prof. Makau Mutua on his social media platforms calling for the banning of all boda bodas from Kenya’s cities and towns.
"Such remarks are not only reckless but deeply inconsiderate coming from a leader associated with a government that champions the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) — a model that places the common mwananchi at the center of economic growth,” the statement read.
BAK stated that the boda boda sector is not just a transport option, but an economic pillar for millions of Kenyan households, especially among the youth.
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"Boda boda is not just a mode of transport; it is a lifeline for over 2 million Kenyan families who rely on this industry for daily income, food, school fees, and healthcare.
"Dismissing the entire sector as chaotic and illegal ignores the role it plays in creating employment and sustaining local economies — especially among the youth and low-income earners," the statement added.
Additionally, BAK acknowledged that the industry faces serious issues such as safety concerns, but it maintained that the solution lies in engagement and not a ban.
"We acknowledge there are challenges within the industry, including safety and regulation, but the solution lies in structured engagement, training, policy reform, and investment, not sweeping bans," the statement further read.
BAK urged government leaders to work collaboratively with stakeholders to improve the industry, rather than cast it aside.
"We urge all leaders, especially those in government, to uphold the principles of inclusion and empowerment, and to work with us toward solutions that uplift, not marginalize, this vital sector of our economy," the statement concluded.
The response comes a day after Mutua called for a total ban on boda bodas from the streets of all major cities and towns across the country.
In a statement on Thursday, July 17, he stated that motorcycles should have no place in modern urban settings due to the chaos they bring.
"I'm 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," he said.
