Sonko rides in to steer boda boda, tuk tuk operators cooperative

Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has vowed to streamline the boda boda sector, which is a source of livelihood for the youthful population.

Sonko made the pledge when he met leaders of tuk tuk and boda boda associations from across the country, who called for sweeping reforms in the sector.

Led by the Bodaboda and Tuk Tuk Transport Union of Kenya National Secretary-General Nehemiah Kiwa, the operators decried declining fortunes in the sector, occasioned by punitive State regulations and the high cost of running their businesses.

“As Kenyans who participated in voting in the current government, we demand that our hustle be treated fairly by the State,” said Kiwa.

Attempts to regulate the sector have been unsuccessful, and now Sonko promises to bring sanity after being appointed the national patron of the Boda Boda and Tuk Tuk Transport Cooperative Union of Kenya.

According to Kiwa, the close to 2.5 million boda boda and tuk tuk operators face challenges that require urgent intervention.

Key among the issues they want addressed is the Public Transport (Motorcycle Regulation) Bill 2023, sponsored by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, which proposes sweeping regulations on the registration, operation, and management of the sub-sector.

“We are concerned that certain provisions of the Bill are grossly offensive to the wellbeing of our trade and, if passed, will greatly affect millions of citizens who in one way or another depend on boda bodas and tuk tuks,” he said.

Machakos County Boda Boda Operators ChairmanAllan Musembi noted that insurance terms and conditions for boda bodas and tuk tuks require streamlining to ensure timely compensation in case of accidents.

According to the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis, the sector has created more than one million jobs for riders.

The government is estimated to collect approximately Sh60 billion annually in fuel taxes from operators, who buy an average of Sh300 fuel per day. This amounts to about Sh300 million in fuel per day, underlining the importance of the sub-sector to the social and economic development of the country.

Calvis Okumu, chairman of the Digital Riders and Delivery Association, decried blatant discrimination faced by digital boda boda operators.

“We are often forced to park our delivery bikes far from estates because we are boda boda riders,” he said.

While accepting the endorsement as their union patron , Sonko pledged to engage stakeholders at county and national government to ensure order in the sector.