A new bill proposed by Senator Bonny Khalwale of Kakamega has sparked a wave of outcry from boda boda riders, who say the regulations could devastate their livelihoods.
The proposed legislation states that riders cannot carry minors or luggage weighing over 50kg and requires customers to wear helmets.
The chairman of the Tharaka Nithi Boda Boda Operators Association Antony Gichangi voiced his concerns, calling the proposed ban on carrying minors an "impossible move". Gichangi and his colleagues believed that these laws would hinder the prosperity of boda boda business, a very crucial part of Kenya's transportation system today. The association has called on their Senator Mwenda Gataya to reject the bill, citing it as a potential threat to the industry's growth. "Having two helmets for customers is not just impractical but also a health hazard in that different customers will keep using one helmet," they argued, highlighting the challenges that come with implementing such measures.
Another rider, David Wairegi, lamented over the financial strain the proposed bill could impose. "Our jobs don't pay much, and forbidding us from carrying luggage makes it even harder for us to earn a living.
