President William Ruto has ordered the release of more than 9,000 boda bodas that have been held at police stations without criminal cases.
Speaking during a meeting with boda boda operators on Thursday, August 7, the President said that the Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo and the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja should ensure that the boda bodas are released within the next seven days.
According to the Head of State, the move will be vital in promoting the boda boda sector, which he asserted has played a key role in the country’s economic growth.
“[I] Met Boda Boda officials from all sub-counties [at] State House, Nairobi. I gave amnesty to owners of motorcycles that have been detained at police stations and are not linked to criminal cases,” Ruto stated.
“Asked the Ministry of Interior to work with the Inspector-General of Police to have the motorcycles released in the next one week,” he added.
According to the president, the government will also work to create a new law that will encourage self-regulation in the sector, where riders can govern themselves through associations or saccos.
“Boda Boda operators are legitimate entrepreneurs whose businesses must be supported. We will work with all stakeholders to enact a law that embraces self-regulation that will help spur the sector’s growth,” Ruto stated.
Ruto also announced a major reduction in the price of motorbikes, cutting the cost by more than half as part of a plan to make Boda Bodas more affordable for ordinary Kenyans.
Ruto said that motorbikes, which previously cost Ksh195,000, will now retail at Ksh95,000.
“We want to have a plan where all ordinary citizens can afford to own a boda boda. Those motorbikes are no longer Ksh195,000 — they now cost Ksh95,000,” the President said.
Ruto also announced a significant drop in the deposit required for motorbikes purchased through loan facilities, reducing it from Ksh70,000 to just Ksh9,500.
He further revealed that the government has negotiated friendlier loan terms, where motorbike borrowers will pay a daily installment of Ksh180.
“The daily repayment is no longer Ksh500 — it’s Ksh180,” he added. “I will also ask Members of Parliament to remove the remaining taxes. This will lower the cost of motorbikes by an additional Ksh10,000.”
The Head of State also ordered the release of over 9,000 motorcycles which have been detained at police stations and are not linked to criminal cases.
He directed the Interior Principal Secretary Dr Raymond Omollo and the Inspector General of Police Dougla Kanja to take action within one week following the State House meeting.
Ruto noted that every government policy rolled out under his administration has been guided by the bottom-up philosophy, which prioritizes the needs of those at the bottom of the economic pyramid.
“Kenya will not be a country for the rich alone — it will be for everyone: those at the bottom, in the middle, and at the top. That’s why we adopted the bottom-up approach, starting with the lower class. This is the philosophy that will ensure everyone takes part in moving Kenya forward and that no one is left behind,” he added.
“In the past, only rich people came to State House. Someone came here a few days ago and he said that I have lowered the levels of State House by inviting random people. Previously you had to be a Cabinet Secretary, Governor, PS or ambassador but right now even boda boda guys are around. There is nothing wrong with that because we want a united country.”
