Boda boda riders to wear county-specific uniforms, carry unique IDs under new reforms to curb lawlessness

Boda boda riders will now be required to wear county-specific uniforms and have unique identification numbers on their motorcycles as part of a government move to curb rising crime.(Photo: Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya)

By Lucy Mumbi
Thursday, September 11, 2025

Riders will also be required to join Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) and stage chamas.

The reforms were unveiled following a high-level meeting on Thursday between senior police chiefs and the leadership of the National Boda Boda Association in Nairobi. The meeting, convened by Nairobi Regional Police Commander George Seda, brought together key stakeholders to address growing concerns over rising lawlessness and mob justice linked to boda boda operators.

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Commander Seda explained that the uniforms and IDs will enhance accountability and make it easier for both authorities and the public to identify riders within their jurisdictions. He also cautioned boda boda riders against interfering with traffic accident investigations, warning that police would not hesitate to take action against offenders.

“There is no solidarity in the application of the law; it applies to individuals. If one rider has been involved in an offence or accident, the responsibility lies with that individual alone. The law will not be applied collectively,” Commander Seda said.

Riders will also be required to join Savings and Credit Cooperative Societies (SACCOs) and stage chamas. The move is aimed at instilling discipline, strengthening regulation and promoting financial responsibility in the sector.

Kevin Mbadi, chairperson of the Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya (BAK), warned riders against mob justice and retaliatory attacks following accidents, stressing that those who take the law into their own hands will be held personally liable.

“We have agreed as boda boda leaders that if a vehicle is torched in your area, the local heads will face a crackdown until they provide the names of those responsible. The culprits will be arrested,” Mbadi said.

Mbadi also announced that BAK had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a network of lawyers who will provide free legal services to riders aggrieved in road-related cases.

“It is the work of the police to process an accident or crime scene and ensure that matters are addressed amicably. It is not the work of an aggrieved party to enforce justice,” he added, urging riders to allow due process to take its course.

The measures come amid rising insecurity linked to boda boda riders, including incidents of vehicles being torched after accidents and attacks carried out by criminal gangs posing as riders.

Kenyan drivers have also raised alarm over what they describe as growing lawlessness and harassment by boda boda operators, accusing government agencies of turning a blind eye to the menace.

In a statement on Monday, the Motorist Association of Kenya (MAK) expressed frustration over the failure of police and regulators to rein in boda boda operators, citing incidents in Juja and Luanda where matatus, trailers, buses, pickups and private cars were stoned or torched, with pedestrians also falling victim to violent gangs of riders.

Drivers said boda boda operators routinely flout traffic rules in full view of officers without facing any consequences. They alleged that riders often drive against traffic, jump red lights, switch lanes recklessly, overtake on the wrong side and even ride on footpaths, putting both motorists and pedestrians at risk.

However, boda boda operators countered that in some cases where vehicles were torched, the crimes were committed by other road users who rushed to accident scenes.