A bold call by law professor and political commentator Makau Mutua to ban boda bodas from Kenya’s urban centres has sparked a public war of words with the Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya (BAK), which has condemned the proposal as reckless and out of touch with everyday realities.
On Thursday, Mutua took to social media to express frustration over what he called the growing chaos on city roads, blaming boda boda riders for disorder, lawlessness, and frequent accidents.
“I am convinced that all boda boda should be banned from the streets of all Kenya’s major cities and towns,” Mutua wrote on X. “No modern city should tolerate such chaos, illegality, terrible aesthetics and indiscipline on its roads.”
His comments ignited immediate backlash from BAK, the national body representing operators in the sector. In a sharply worded statement, the association said Mutua’s remarks showed contempt for an industry that provides daily income for millions of Kenyans.
“We strongly condemn the recent statement by Makau Mutua,” BAK said Friday. “Such remarks are not only reckless but deeply inconsiderate, especially from someone linked to a government that claims to support the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.”
BAK emphasised that the boda boda industry supports over two million families across the country and plays a crucial role in employment, education, and healthcare access for low-income earners.
“Boda boda is not just a mode of transport; it is a lifeline,” the association noted.
While acknowledging the sector has challenges including safety concerns and regulatory issues BAK argued that banning it altogether was not a practical solution.
“The way forward lies in reform, not rejection. That means training, policy improvements, and structured engagement with riders not sweeping bans,” the group stated.
The association also called on national and county leaders to focus on inclusion and job creation, rather than policies that would punish Kenya’s working poor.
But Mutua doubled down on his position in a follow-up post on Friday, showing no signs of retreat.
“To BAK, I have no apologies to make, or statement to withdraw,” he wrote. “Your riders endanger lives going in the opposite direction, carrying up to four passengers, including children, without helmets, and often fleeing accident scenes. Most of you are unlicensed and uninsured.”
He described the sector as “a menace to society” and a danger to modern urban life.
“No modern city or town should tolerate such mayhem,” he said. “Kenya is a constitutional democracy. You must live within the law, which you blatantly flout.”
The exchange has reignited debate over the future of boda bodas in Nairobi and other fast-growing towns, where the motorbike taxis serve both as affordable transport and a major employer especially among youth.
Critics of the sector point to frequent accidents, traffic violations, and public safety issues. Supporters argue that banning boda bodas outright would devastate livelihoods and make city movement harder for those who can’t afford cars or private taxis.
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