Kajiado– In a dusty compound on the outskirts of Kajiado town, scores of boda boda riders gathered this week to hear a message they’ve waited long to receive: “We see you. We value you.”
Addressing them was Dr Raymond Omollo, Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration. His tone was firm but warm.
“This is not a criminal sector,” Dr Omollo said. “You are workers. Entrepreneurs. Providers. And it’s time we treated you that way.”
For years, Kenya’s boda boda industry motorcycle taxis that crisscross the country has been caught between its essential role in daily life and the persistent stigma of lawlessness. Riders are hailed for getting people and goods to hard-to-reach places, yet often labelled as reckless or even dangerous.
But on Tuesday, the government struck a different note.
A sector too big to ignore
Dr Omollo told riders that formalising their operations would open the door to national support programmes, from health insurance to affordable housing.
“When you’re organised, you have bargaining power,” he said. “You can get better insurance, loans, and access to government programmes.”
The key, he said, lies in registration through the Boda Boda Information Management System (BIMS) a tool that allows the government to track and support riders in a more structured way.
He cited examples of rider cooperatives (SACCOs) that have pooled resources to buy land and begin home construction under the government’s affordable housing scheme.
“Once you’ve contributed 10% and a unit is ready, you can move in,” he explained, referring to the Boma Yangu platform that supports gradual homeownership.
Healthcare, not hardship
Turning to healthcare, Dr Omollo encouraged riders to enroll in the new Social Health Authority scheme, which links contributions to earnings. He assured those struggling financially that they wouldn’t be left behind.
“If you can’t pay, the government will,” he said plainly. “No one should suffer or lose their life because they couldn’t afford treatment.”
The plan is part of a wider overhaul of Kenya’s public health system, aimed at covering more citizens, especially those in informal jobs.
Fighting crime without blame
Security was another major theme. Dr Omollo acknowledged that some criminals hide behind helmets, but said the government would not tar the entire industry with the same brush.
“We’ll go after the wrongdoers,” he said. “But we won’t treat every boda boda rider as a suspect.”
Instead, he urged riders to become part of the solution by sharing information with police and taking an active role in community safety.
“Riders know what’s going on in their areas. We want to work with you,” he added.
A growing political force
The forum drew local leaders, security chiefs, and the president of the Boda Boda Association of Kenya, Kevin Mubadi. It was a show of unity and a nod to the political weight riders now carry.
With more than a million operators across the country, the sector has become impossible to ignore. From ferrying goods and schoolchildren to hospital patients and voters, boda bodas keep much of Kenya’s economy and politics moving.
Yet, riders say they still face harassment and disrespect.
“All we ask is to be treated like any other worker,” said Daniel Kariuki, a 32-year-old rider from Kitengela. “We want to earn honestly, raise our families, and live in dignity.”
That’s a sentiment echoed by President William Ruto, who has repeatedly said that “every job matters.” Dr Omollo repeated the line on Tuesday, telling riders their work is not beneath recognition.
“Pushing a handcart, selling vegetables, or riding a boda boda—it all matters,” he said. “And that’s why I’m here.”
As the meeting broke up, riders nodded in agreement. Many said they were ready to register and organise. Others still want to see actions follow the promises.
But on this day, in this small corner of Kenya, they felt heard.
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