Interior Cabinet Secretary, Fred Matiang'i, has responded to the growing public outcry following a directive by President Uhuru Kenyatta to crackdown on the boda boda sector.
Addressing journalists during a round table meeting on Friday, March 11, the CS defended the government's stance in the ongoing crackdown, stating that it was necessary if the sector is to be streamlined.
The no-nonsense CS explained that the government had enough data and information to support Uhuru's directive, further asking politicians to desist from politicising the ongoing process.
In 2019, a multi-agency task force was formed to review the sector even as the government planned to introduce regulations in the transport sector that has over one and a half million riders.
Matiang'i insisted that his Ministry will continue to implement the President's orders so as to get rid of rogue boda boda operators.
"The sector grew faster than the regulatory frameworks. We have no established schools or certification systems or way of processing these people.
"What the 2019 report says is that 60 per cent of boda boda operators two years ago were neither registered nor licensed. Over 65 per cent of them were also not insured. The harrowing experience that 70 per cent of them were not even trained," he noted.
Since the Head of State ordered for a crackdown, various state agencies have moved with speed to enforce the directive, attracting public outcry on the manner in which the crackdown was being conducted.
"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 bodas. Those who want to politicise this let them go ahead and do that," the Head of State directed.
Immediately after the directive, police officers from across the country moved to arrest riders who were caught flaunting traffic rules.
This saw politicians including former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, ask the police not to target all the operators, stating that it was only a few of them were rogue.
While addressing an Azimio La Umoja rally in Kisumu County on Friday, March 11, the ODM boss stated that he had spoken to the President, promising that there would be a change in the approach by the police.
