- The bill proposes to impose a 20,000 kshs fine or six months in jail for operators caught riding on pavements and pedestrian walkways. A fine of 20,000 kshs or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months will be imposed for any motorist found guilty of riding a motorcycle in the opposite direction of traffic flow on a one-way lane.
The Public Transport Motorcycle Bill motioned by Kakamega County Senator Bonny Khalwale to regulate the motorcycle sector has sparked mixed reactions across the country, with bodaboda operators raising concern over its potential economic and enforcement challenges. Senator Khalwale defends the proposals, arguing that they would improve road safety and streamline the transport industry.
The Bill proposes to impose a Ksh20,000 fine or six months in jail for operators caught riding on pavements and pedestrian walkways. A fine of Ksh20,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months will be imposed for any motorist found guilty of riding a motorcycle in the opposite direction of traffic flow on a one-way lane.
Additionally, any rider who participates in ganging up with others in an attempt to intimidate, threaten or harm another person in the event of an incident is liable to a fine not exceeding Ksh100,000, imprisonment for a term not exceeding 1 year or both.
Other proposals include the requirement of commercial bodaboda operators to register with county authorities and pay prescribed fees. Motorcycles must also be fitted with a real-time tracking device. Bodaboda operators must not carry a passenger with their load if it exceeds 50kg of weight.
A section of bodaboda operators has lamented that the government should look at the state of Kenyan roads and repair them for easy movement before enforcing laws that prohibit them from riding on pavements.
In response to ganging up with others to intimidate, threaten or cause harm, others argued that matatu drivers harass them on the roads and flee away, leaving them with additional medical expenses to pay for.
Although the bodaboda operators welcome some elements of the Public Transport Motorcycle Bill, their biggest fear is that it will be used as a tool by law enforcement to harass them on the roads.
