National Assembly backs withdrawal of disputed Motorcycle Regulation Bill
While these measures were designed to bring positive reforms, they posed significant challenges for operators, particularly those who relied on carrying more than one person or heavy loads.
The National Assembly has rejected the disputed Public Transport (Motorcycle Regulation) Bill that was proposed by the Senate last December, providing a much-needed relief to boda boda operators.
The bill, which has been a topic of intense political debate, sought to introduce reforms that, according to most boda boda riders, would have placed undue financial strain on them and were generally unfavorable to their businesses.
A proposal introduced by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale aimed to regulate the motorcycle taxi sector, but it would have resulted in reduced income for struggling youth due to fewer rides and limited capacity per trip.
Additionally, the bill required operators to pay certificate fees to county executives, which would have given local authorities more control over their operations.
During a submission to parliament, the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure highlighted that the bill failed to comply with Standing Order 127(5) and noted that the senator had withdrawn it in earlier stages.
As a result, the resolution was made to discharge the Public Transport (Motorcycle Regulation) Bill (Senate Bill No. 38 of 2023) from the Second Reading.
The Boda Boda Association of Kenya (BAK) criticized the proposal, claiming it lacked public consultation to understand the true challenges faced by motorcycle operators. They voiced their concerns on their X account during the bill’s introduction.
Presented to the Senate on December 5, 2023, the bill aimed to address the "chaotic" motorcycle transport sector by imposing several regulations.
Among these were restrictions on motorcycle riders carrying more than one adult passenger, mandatory full gear for passengers, certificates from county executives, limits on carrying heavy loads above 50 kg alongside a passenger, and bans on parking in undesignated areas.
While these measures were designed to bring positive reforms, they posed significant challenges for operators, particularly those who relied on carrying more than one person or heavy loads.
The bill was seen as a step toward restoring order in the industry, with the potential to reduce road accidents and promote the country’s growth through stricter regulations.
However, it would have increased costs for individuals, such as market vendors (Mama Mboga), who would need to use multiple motorcycles to transport goods, further burdening their businesses.