Senators have summoned Interior Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiang'i, over the latest directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta on boda boda operators.
The August House is seeking answers from the Interior CS on the nationwide crackdown launched on boda boda operators as ordered by the Head of State on Tuesday, March 8. The presidential directive followed a public outcry after a lady was allegedly assaulted by some rogue boda boda riders along Wangari Maathai Road in Nairobi.
The lawmakers want Matiang'i to explain the criteria being used in enforcing the crackdown. They further want all stakeholders in the boda boda sector involved in the crafting and enforcement of regulations for the multi-billion industry.
Senators argue that as much as the exercise is aimed at weeding out rogue riders from our roads, the law compliant ones may be affected if no proper rules are put in place.
While making his submission, Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja insisted that the operation should be in accordance with the law to restore sanity in the entire boda boda sector.
Also summoned alongside Matiang'i is the Transport CS, James Macharia, top officials of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), as well as officials of boda boda associations.
According to Session Speaker Judy Pareno, the summoned officials should meet with the Senate’s Security and Transport Committees to find a way forward in the enforcement of the crackdown.
The President, while announcing the crackdown on Tuesday, reprimanded the aggressors noting that his administration will not tolerate such acts.
"A boda boda is not a license to strip a woman and remove her dignity. There should never be a repeat of what happened on Friday. This is a blight on the whole Kenyan society," Uhuru remarked.
"We want to support the boda boda business but our efforts should not make them believe that they can do drive-by shootings. We will re-register all boda boda. Those who want to politicise this let them go ahead and do that," he added.
So far, over 200 riders have been apprehended and each fined Ksh35,000 after the Forest Road incident. The Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) has also identified the mastermind behind the incident.
