While globally motorcycles have been used by private riders, Kenya has seen a growth of a commercial motorcyle industry famously known as 'bodaboda'; greatly unregulated. Their ubiquitous presence in majority if not all East African cities is the result of a number of factors including an increasing demand for public transit, the ability to purchase motorcycles on credit, and an influx of cheap imports from manufacturers.
In the countries where they are present, boda bodas can provide transportation options to riders and job opportunities to drivers while at the same time resulting in an increase in road hazards and collisions and unnecessary injuries and deaths.
Bodabodas taxis are considered to be cheaper modes of transport over short distances as compared to vehicle taxis and its easy maneuverability is capitalized.
Why has bodaboda culture been highly accepted in Kenya? I went out to the streets in Nakuru and here are some of the findings. According to the responses, motor bike uses considerably less fuel than a car. Since the gas tank on a motor bike is smaller, it will also cost less to fill up at the pump and there will be less times you find yourself at the gas pump to begin with.
Traffic jams has become one of the major problems not only in Nakuru but also other cities and major towns in Kenya. With a bodaboda you no longer have to sit behind a convoy of cars waiting for the traffic to get moving. Bodabodas can travel in between cars parked on the highway rather than waiting for their turn to move.
Despite the advantages, bodabodas have shortcomings top on the list being personal safety. As seen to save money in fueling with a motor bike, there is the risk of personal safety. Unlike a car, drivers of motor bikes do not have doors, air bags or a bumper to protect them from impacts with property and other vehicles. All they have is a helmet which is not a sufficient protective gear. Additionally, other drivers on the road are often oblivious to bodaboda cyclists simply because they cannot always see them in their rear- and side-view mirrors. Drivers can cut off motor bikes or even run into them simply because they do not see them.
Lastly, though a bodaboda is helpful for getting around, it has limited seating and storage. If you are going to the grocery store, you will not be able to haul home too many groceries. When you are out with friends, you have seating for only one more person, that is if you have the proper safety equipment for them.
In Kenya, bodabodas have been used in criminal activities in the recent past and there has been an increasing uproar. According to Bodaboda Motorcycle Transport and Security Challenges in Kenya, a report by the National Crime Research Centre, most prevalent boda boda motorcycle related crimes committed by the boda boda riders were: causing death by dangerous riding (79.5%); general stealing (76.7%); breach of public order and creating disturbance (66.2%); theft of Motorcycle and motorcycle parts (62.9%); assault 57.0%; robbery and robbery with violence (52.9%); riding under influence of alcohol (52.7%); possession and usage of dangerous drugs (49.5%); handling and trafficking of dangerous drugs (42.1%); murder (38.7%); kidnapping and abduction (26.2%); bribery (23.1%); defilement (17.8%); rape (17.2%); smuggling of goods across borders (15.9%); theft of motor vehicle and motor vehicle parts (14.2%); fraud and forgery offenses (13.0%); handling stolen property (12.8%); burglary (11.3%); motorcycle hijackings (10.4%).
In 2019 Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government formed a committee to help bring sanity to the boda boda sector but no tangible action has been seen a bodaboda carry even four people - three passengers and the rider; which is putting the rider, passenger and other motorists at risk.
Boda bodas industry continues to be one of the biggest threats to national security. Their everyday recklessness on our roads causes accidents that lead to loss of limbs and lives of hundreds of Kenyans. Kenya is losing over 5,000 people in road accidents every year. People are losing their lives everyday because some drunk, unlicensed rider was reckless on the road. Those who survive are often maimed, sometimes for life. The government spends hundred of millions on medical care for boda boda accident patients. They even have boda boda accident victim wards in almost every County.
Most of these accidents are avoidable if government ensured only properly licensed, insured and geared-up riders are allowed on the road.
When a boda boda rider causes an accident, his fellow riders will gang up, beat you, and burn your car. If you’re a female driver, they will strip and sexually assault you. Some of them are in gangs that rob, maim and even kill. They have become a law unto themselves because the police are more interested in collecting bribes from them instead of enforcing the law. They need to be regulated before it’s too late. Have you fallen a victim of boda boda criminality?