NTSA slashes boda boda license fees from Sh15,000 to Sh3,000 in safety push

In a bid to streamline the boda boda industry, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has proposed cutting licence fees from Sh15,000 to Sh3,000, saying the move will not only ease the cost burden on riders but also boost safety and compliance in the sector.

According to the Authority, the reforms are part of a comprehensive strategy to address the challenges facing the sector, including road safety and the need for formal training among riders.

The NTSA has also announced plans to introduce a mandatory speed limit of 80km/h for boda bodas, alongside other changes aimed at improving safety and encouraging compliance.

NTSA Chairman Khatib Mwashetani noted that the reforms would reduce the financial barriers to obtaining a licence and ensure that boda boda riders are better trained.

“Currently, acquiring a boda boda license costs nearly Sh15,000. We plan to reduce this to as low as Sh3,000 under very favourable conditions,” Mwashetani said.

He added that the reduced fees would promote compliance within the largely unregulated sector, making it easier for riders to meet the required standards.

As part of the new regulations, boda bodas will be restricted to carrying only one passenger, with both the rider and the passenger required to wear reflective jackets. The new rule is designed to enhance visibility and improve safety on the roads, where many riders violate capacity regulations.

“A boda boda will only carry two people—the rider and the passenger. Both must also wear reflective jackets,” Mwashetani said.

Kenya currently has over one million registered boda boda riders, and the NTSA hopes the reforms will help reduce accidents and foster a culture of safety within the sector.

Data from the NTSA and the Traffic Police shows that between January 1 and March 31, 2025, at least 431 people died in motorcycle-related accidents, an average of five deaths per day. The figure surpasses the combined total of drivers and passengers killed in car crashes over the same period.

“The number of lives that were lost in motorcycle accidents is higher than that of drivers and passengers killed in motor vehicle accidents during the same period. In total, motor vehicle accidents claimed 83 drivers and 189 passengers,” reads the report.

In total, 1,139 people lost their lives in road crashes in the first quarter of the year. Nearly half of these fatalities were linked to motorcycle incidents.

The data further shows that 301 motorcyclists and 130 pillion passengers died in the first three months of 2025. Other fatalities include 420 pedestrians, 83 drivers, 189 passengers and 16 pedal cyclists.

The situation is not new. In 2024 alone, 1,200 boda boda riders were killed on Kenyan roads, marking a sharp rise from the 900 deaths recorded in 2023.

Authorities have attributed the worrying trend to reckless behaviour, inexperience and a lack of formal training among boda boda riders.

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• 000 to Sh3

Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale had proposed a Bill aimed at streamlining the boda boda sector. The Public Transport (Motorcycle Regulation) Bill 2023 proposes establishing County Motorcycle Transport and Safety Boards to manage and regulate the sector.

The Bill also mandates that riders install GPS trackers, obtain insurance through cooperative societies, and comply with strict fines for violations, including a Sh20,000 penalty for riding on pavements.

The Bill further outlines that any individual wishing to operate a motorcycle for commercial purposes must register with the respective County Executive Committee Members and pay a prescribed fee. Riders who violate the new regulations, such as riding on pedestrian walkways, would face hefty fines or a jail term of up to six months.