MPs reject Khalwale’s bid to pull out Bodaboda Regulation Bill

The National Assembly has rejected a request by Kakamega Senator Boniface Khalwale to withdraw the Public Transport (Motorcycle Regulation) Bill, keeping alive a controversial proposal to regulate the bodaboda sector.

Despite Khalwale’s decision to pull back the bill after public concerns, the National Assembly voted against a motion to discharge it, meaning it will proceed through the legislative process.

The motion had been sponsored by Ruaraka MP T.J. Kajwang.

Senate Speaker Amason Kingi had earlier written to his National Assembly counterpart Moses Wetangula informing him of the withdrawal.

But Wetangula told lawmakers, "He seems to have walked into a hostile group of boda bodas who frightened him to write a letter to say although the Bill has passed through the Senate, he wants to withdraw it in this House. So we now put the question, if you want the Bill to go on you vote no, if you want the Bill to die here, you vote yes."

The bill, which was approved by the Senate and had its First Reading in the National Assembly on February 13, 2025, had been referred to the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure.

It proposes a regulatory framework for the bodaboda sector at the county level.

It outlines rules for the registration, operation and safety of riders, including cross-county recognition of registered bodabodas by respective county boards.

According to the bill, no one shall operate a bodaboda without completing an approved training course covering defensive riding, traffic rules, customer care, and handling emergencies.

Khalwale also proposed that every boda boda owner provide the rider with two helmets and two reflective jackets that meet standards set by the Kenya Bureau of Standards, and are of prescribed colour.

The bill further states: "A boda boda rider should not carry more than one person at a time; he should ensure the passenger is on a proper seat with foot rests securely fixed to the motorcycle behind the rider’s seat; ensure a passenger sits astride the motorcycle; ensure that the headlights of the motorcycle are on at all times when riding."