President William Ruto’s senior constitutional advisor, Prof. Makau Mutua, has stirred fresh controversy after refusing to back down from his sharp criticism of the boda boda industry in Kenya.

Taking to his official X account on Friday, July 18, 2025, Mutua stood by his earlier remarks, describing the sector as lawless and a daily threat to public safety.

“I have no apologies to make, or statement to withdraw. You have become a lawless industry,” he posted, sparking intense online debate.

His remarks were in response to the Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya, which had condemned him for what they termed as unfair generalization and demonization of riders, many of whom depend on the industry for their livelihoods. The association had demanded a formal retraction.

But Mutua doubled down, outlining a series of infractions often associated with the sector from reckless riding and overloading passengers, including children without helmets, to fleeing accident scenes and flouting traffic rules with impunity.

He noted that many riders operate without valid licenses or insurance and warned that their disregard for road safety poses a serious threat to both riders and the public.

“You endanger lives by riding on the wrong side, speeding with multiple passengers, ignoring safety gear, causing accidents, then fleeing or assaulting victims breaking every known traffic rule,” Mutua wrote.

He went on to brand the boda boda industry “a menace to society and a blight on our cities and towns,” adding that such chaos has no place in a modern urban setting.

While insisting that his comments were not aimed at honest riders, Mutua said there must be order and adherence to the rule of law.

“We cannot allow lawlessness to thrive on our roads. Kenya is a constitutional democracy, and no one is above the law,” he stated.

Mutua ended his post with a firm declaration: “We say NYET!”

His remarks have reignited public discourse on boda boda sector regulation, with Kenyans split some echoing his concerns about safety, while others fault him for painting the entire industry with a broad brush.