Nationwide Crackdown on Rogue Boda Boda Riders Ordered by CS Murkomen

Nairobi, Kenya — 2025-09-12 11:20 EAT. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has directed a countrywide operation against rogue boda boda riders involved in criminal activities, including assault, robbery, arson, and interference with emergency services. The directive was given during a security briefing in Kisii County. 

1) The Latest

• CS Murkomen has instructed police to identify and arrest boda boda riders who commit crime under the guise of transport operations. 

• He ordered collaboration with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to ensure all riders are properly licensed. 

• The crackdown is to happen “without fear or favour, without political affiliation,” he emphasised. 

2) Context in Brief

• Several incidents have triggered the reaction: in Vihiga County (Luanda) riders burnt a matatu, blocked highways, and looted a trailer after an accident. 

• In Nairobi-Kiambu (Thika Road near Juja Estate), a Super Metro bus was burnt following an accident involving a boda boda rider. 

• Murkomen has previously warned about growing motorcycle gang culture in Vihiga, particularly where boda boda gangs disrupt traffic, funerals, and carry out robberies. 

3) Law, Policy, and Process

• NTSA licensing: Boda boda riders are required by law to have valid licenses, registration, and to belong to registered SACCOs or bodies where applicable. Part of the crackdown aims to enforce this. 

• Public order law: Police have mandate to maintain public safety, prevent arson, vandalism, unlawful assemblies and any criminal acts.

• What should happen next:

  1. Identify unlicensed or rogue boda boda riders.

  2. Impound motorcycles used in criminal behaviour.

  3. Prosecute offenders.

  4. Enforce compliance with licensing, SACCO registration, uniform/stage registration where required.

4) Voices and Stakeholders

• CS Kipchumba Murkomen: Condemned criminal misuse of boda bodas, called for equal enforcement regardless of politics. 

• Boda Boda Safety Association (BAK): Disowned recent acts of violence and arson, saying rogue individuals (not the majority) are harming the sector’s reputation. Urged law abiding riders to cooperate. 

• NTSA / County / Security Teams: Expected to work together under this directive. Enforcement to include licensing and regulation reforms. 

5) Evidence & Data Box

6) Risks and Implications

• Livelihood concerns: Law-abiding boda boda operators may suffer if broad enforcement leads to motorcycle impoundments or license revocations without due process.

• Public safety vs retaliation risk: Crackdowns may provoke backlash from groups feeling unfairly targeted.

• Regulatory capacity: NTSA, police, county and national administration will need coordination to execute licensing, stage registration, and enforcement.

• Political risk: Though CS stresses non-political enforcement, risk of perceived bias or misuse for political ends exists.

7) What We Don’t Know Yet

• How quickly enforcement will start, and the precise scope (which counties/sub-counties first).

• Details on uniform/stage registration, registration numbers, whether there will be new identifiers for riders.

• How many riders are unlicensed vs those registered but allegedly participating in criminal acts.

• How complaints or disputes will be handled (e.g. misidentification, misuse of authority).

8) Timeline

9) What to Watch

• Publication of official guidelines or circular on boda boda regulation enforcement.

• Joint operations by NTSA, police and county governments to license, register, and regulate boda boda stages.

• Legal cases resulting from enforcement: arrests, prosecutions, or court challenges.

• Reports from boda boda associations on how enforcement is proceeding; whether they feel treated fairly.