Matiang’i wants to regulate boda boda fares

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Cabinet Secretary (CS) Fred Matiang’i and his colleague transport CS James Macharia revealed information regarding the formation of a task force to regulate boda boda operations.

A gazette notice dated March 15, 2019, disclosed the formation of a 13-member task force aimed at ensuring that boda boda operations were well run.

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“The task force will evaluate the market environment for operation of public service motorcycle business, including its attendant challenges. It will also undertake any other activities required for the effective discharge of its mandate,” stated an excerpt of the gazette notice.

In addition to being tasked with examining policies governing the sector, the task force will also be charged with formulating regulations on suitable designated areas for boda boda operations as well as regulation of fares charged.

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Members of the committee are Njeri Waithaka, Nick Korir, Tom Macharia, Michael Kimani, Lucy Karume, Thomas Ogutu, Kennedy Odhiambo Okong’o, Kevin Mubadi, Martin Eshiwani, Joseph Agingu and Lydia Mambo.

Julius Mathenge and David Oleshege were appointed as chair and vice-chair respectively.

The team is expected to come up with both medium and long term reforms in the rapidly growing sector, where an estimated 700,000 riders operate, with the figure expected to rise to over a million by 2020.

This comes after various accusations made against boda boda riders, with some mentioned in cases involving trafficking in arms, drugs, and humans, as well as involvement in robbery and murder.

Riders have also developed a reputation of mobbing motorists when one of them is involved in an accident.

Late last year, Director of Criminal Investigations George Kinoti revealed that detectives had profiled one individual in the city who owned 250 boda bodas for use in drug trafficking.


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