The patience of Nairobi’s residents has finally snapped. In a bold legal move that echoes the frustrations of millions, a city resident has dragged the State to court, demanding immediate intervention to halt the anarchy, violence, and impunity that defines the boda boda sector.

Lawyer and petitioner Rogers Monda has filed a case against the Inspector General of Police and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), accusing them of a catastrophic dereliction of duty. The petition paints a grim picture of a sector that has mutated from a transport solution into a national security threat. Monda cites alarming statistics indicating that nearly half of all road fatalities in Kenya now involve motorcycles, a blood toll that he argues is fueled by state inaction.

A Sector Run by Mob Law

The lawsuit comes at a time when the capital is paralyzed by strikes and standoff. Monda’s petition details a "growing pattern of mob attacks, vehicle torching, and assaults," particularly targeting motorists who are unfortunate enough to be involved in accidents with riders. The "boda boda brotherhood" effectively operates as a parallel law enforcement unit, dispensing instant, often violent, justice at accident scenes before police can arrive.

"There is an apparent link between the State's inaction to stop these incidents and the continued violations," Monda argued in court papers. He is seeking urgent interim orders to compel the police to operationalize a rapid-response unit dedicated specifically to motorcycle-related incidents in Nairobi.

• The Human Cost: The petition references specific cases, including the recent upholding of a sentence against a boda boda chairman who led a mob execution of a suspect, highlighting the sector's vigilante culture.
• The Regulatory Void: Despite strict laws on helmets, insurance, and training, enforcement is virtually non-existent. Riders operate with impunity, often bypassing traffic rules under the nose of traffic officers.
• The Strike Context: The suit was filed just hours after matatu operators withdrew their services in protest against the very same aggression from boda boda riders, bringing the city to a standstill.

The Cry for Order

This lawsuit represents a turning point. It is no longer just about traffic violations; it is about the right to safety and the rule of law. For years, politicians have handled the sector with kid gloves, fearing the voting power of the millions of riders. But for the ordinary citizen walking the streets or driving to work, the situation has become untenable.

As the High Court considers the application, the eyes of the city are watching. Will the judiciary finally force the executive to tame the two-wheeled menace that rules the roads? For Rogers Monda and the silent majority he represents, silence is no longer an option.