NAIROBI, Kenya July 22 –The National Assembly will move forward with consideration of the Public Transport Motorcycle Regulation Bill, 2025, despite a request by its sponsor, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, to halt the process amid public backlash.
The Senate Speaker Amason Kingi conveyed Khalwale’s withdrawal request on March 7, citing intense opposition from boda boda riders and stakeholders.
However, Members of the National Assembly voted to reject the request, enabling the Bill’s review to proceed on July 22, 2025.
The Bill, which was passed by the Senate earlier this year, seeks to establish a legal framework for regulating the operation of boda bodas (motorcycle taxis) across Kenya.
It proposes measures such as mandatory registration, compulsory training for riders, and the formation of County Motorcycle Transport and Safety Boards. These boards would oversee licensing, safety enforcement, and standards at the county level.
The legislation also requires all riders and motorcycle owners to join savings and credit cooperative organisations (SACCOs) and to undergo standardised training programs that include modules on safety, customer service, and emergency response.
Despite the Bill’s objective of enhancing public safety and professionalising the sector, it has been met with mixed reactions.
Some stakeholders argue the Bill addresses urgent concerns about safety, accountability, and the growing number of accidents involving motorcycles.
The Kenya Bureau of Standards and the Digital Boda Association have expressed support for the Bill, although both groups have recommended specific amendments.
Ride-hailing platform Bolt has also backed the initiative, with its leadership urging revisions to ensure operational feasibility and fair implementation.
However, opposition remains strong among grassroots rider organisations. The Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya has rejected the Bill outright, warning that it could endanger the livelihoods of tens of thousands of riders.
Leaders from the association argue that the proposed regulations are overly restrictive and could lead to widespread job losses if implemented in their current form.
In response to the growing divide, the National Assembly’s Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, chaired by Ndia MP George Kariuki, has pledged to expand public consultations.
The committee is expected to organise a series of public participation forums across the country to allow riders, county governments, and civil society to offer input and help shape amendments.
“While the concerns raised are valid, this process must be inclusive,” Kariuki said during a parliamentary briefing while stressing that; “Our aim is to strike a balance between regulation and economic empowerment.”
