A fierce public exchange has erupted between the Boda Boda Association of Kenya (BAK) and President William Ruto’s constitutional advisor, Prof. Makau Mutua, over his proposal to ban boda bodas from Kenya’s major cities and towns.
In a post on his X account on Thursday, Mutua decried the disorder and safety concerns posed by the boda boda sector, saying, “No modern city should tolerate such chaos, illegality, terrible aesthetics and indiscipline on its roads.” He called for a blanket ban of boda bodas from urban areas, a stance that has drawn strong condemnation from BAK.
BAK responded on Friday, accusing Mutua of undermining a vital economic sector that supports over two million families across the country. “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,” BAK said in a statement.
The association emphasised that the boda boda industry is more than just a mode of transport; it is a critical source of income, particularly for young people and low-income earners. “Boda boda is a lifeline for daily income, food, school fees and healthcare,” they noted, urging for reforms instead of bans.
While acknowledging that the industry faces regulatory and safety challenges, BAK insisted that the solution lies in structured engagement, training, policy reform and investment, not sweeping prohibitions.
However, Mutua remained unapologetic in a follow-up post, insisting that the boda boda sector has become “lawless” and a danger to the public. He accused riders of flouting traffic laws, operating without insurance or licences, and engaging in violent behaviour. “Most of you are a menace to society,” he said, adding that the sector must comply with existing laws in a constitutional democracy.
The clash highlights a growing tension between urban order and grassroots livelihoods, with the debate now putting a spotlight on how Kenya should balance safety, regulation and economic inclusion in rapidly growing urban centres.
