BAK slams Prof Makau Mutua’s call to ban boda bodas in major towns and cities
AK said the call to remove boda bodas from urban areas contradicts the spirit of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which aims to empower ordinary Kenyans, particularly those working in the informal sector.
The Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya (BAK) has sharply criticised Prof Makau Mutua over his recent remarks calling for a ban on boda bodas in major towns and cities, terming the comments reckless and misaligned with the government’s economic policy direction.
In a statement, BAK said the call to remove boda bodas from urban areas contradicts the spirit of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which aims to empower ordinary Kenyans, particularly those working in the informal sector.
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"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 centre of economic growth," said BAK.
The association emphasised that the sector plays a critical role in local economies, supporting livelihoods through daily earnings that help pay for food, education, and healthcare.
“Boda bodas are more than a transport option — they are a source of income for over two million families," said the association."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."
This follows Prof Mutua’s earlier statement, in which he described boda boda operators as a lawless group that should be barred from operating in urban areas due to persistent road safety violations and a lack of regulation.
In a statement issued Thursday, Prof Mutua, who serves as Senior Advisor on Constitutional Affairs, said he was convinced that boda bodas should not be allowed to operate in major towns and cities, arguing that they contribute to urban chaos, lawlessness, and poor road discipline.
BAK is urging the government and its officials to adopt an inclusive approach to addressing challenges within the boda boda industry through structured training, regulation, and policy reform.
"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 marginalise, this vital sector of our economy."
BAK called for an apology from Prof Mutua over what they termed as dismissive remarks.
In response to BAK’s criticism and call for an apology, Prof. Mutua declined to retract his statement, saying he stood by his views.
“I have no apologies to make, or statement to withdraw,” he said, reiterating his concerns about safety and regulation within the industry.
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