Sakaja's First Order As Nairobi Governor Targeting Boda Boda Riders

Nairobi Governor, Johnson Sakaja has made his first order as the new county boss which will delight boda boda operators in the city.

On Monday, August 29, Sakaja ordered for the release of all motorbikes impounded by the county government to their owners.

He also ordered for all cases against the riders be withdrawn with immediate effect.

Sakaja also asked the City inspectorate to identify official drop-off and pick-up points within Nairobi. This is the third time the Nairobi top leadership has called for the release of impounded motorbikes to their owners.

Boda boda riders in Nairobi. /CAPITAL GROUP

In July, the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) had promised to release impounded motorbikes after consultation with the Inspector General of Police, with their owners getting them back before the August 9 general elections.

“Since I took over Nairobi I have worked closely with the boda boda associations. It is true that boda boda operators have been harassed by rogue enforcement officers," NMS Director General Mohammed Badi said at the time.

In March, former Nairobi Governor Anne Kananu also ordered the release of motorbikes after holding a consultative meeting with stakeholders in the Bodaboda sector

“I have issued an executive order to the city inspectorate to immediately release motorcycles whose owners are petty offenders who have legit papers for operating,” stated Kananu.

The NMS had set new rules for boda boda riders operating in the Central Business District (CBD) in a bid to end confusion. They will be compelled to ply fixed designated routes instead of ferrying passengers to random points in the city.

They will also be required to register with approved Saccos to be assigned new routes under the new rules.

The first Sacco, Eminent Boda Transcoop, was launched, with registered members allocated parking spaces at the newly constructed Greenpark Terminal. 

Riders were also required to have physical offices with Saccos expected to ensure that members adhere to set guidelines.

Besides the new rules, NMS disclosed that they were working with operators to provide last-mile transport to Kenyans accessing CBD after alighting from the Greenpark terminal.

The new memorandum would enable NMS to implement the Matatu CBD ban, which has been a thorn in Badi's administration as it prepares to hand back the 14 functions to the county government.