The government is considering involving boda boda leaders in community policing to help improve discipline and boost intelligence gathering in the transport sector.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen told the Senate on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, that rising cases of violence linked to boda boda riders have caused concern. This includes incidents where riders torch vehicles involved in road accidents.
Murkomen said the ministry had recently toured all 47 counties under the Jukwaa la Usalama programme, where they met residents and security officers to discuss challenges at the community level. He noted that many people raised concerns that criminals have infiltrated the boda boda sector, especially in Western Kenya, Nyanza and Nairobi.
He described the boda boda industry as a major part of Kenya’s transport system, offering jobs to thousands of youth nationwide. However, he said rapid expansion without firm regulation has allowed lawlessness to grow, with many riders operating without proper identification or registration.
“To ensure the sector contributes to the economy while maintaining order, we are working with NTSA and county governments to register all riders under SACCOs and assign them defined operating zones,” Murkomen said.
He added that SACCO leaders will help enforce discipline and report rogue operators to authorities. The ministry is also planning to include these leaders in community policing to help gather information and support security agencies.
Murkomen warned that criminals hiding within the sector would be identified and prosecuted.
“Our goal is to protect the public and safeguard the reputation of genuine boda boda operators,” he said.
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