MOJA Expressway has explained the rationale behind the ban on boda bodas and pedestrians along the Nairobi Expressway.
In a statement on Wednesday, February 4, MOJA Expressway said the expressway was never intended to accommodate motorcycles or pedestrians, stressing that allowing such users would pose serious safety risks.
“Safety is our top priority. The Nairobi Expressway is designed for motorised traffic only, making it unsafe for pedestrians and motorcycles. Access is intentionally restricted to minimise the risk of serious incidents,” the statement read.
By restricting the use of motorcycles along the busy highway, MOJA Expressway believes riders are less exposed to extreme danger due to speed differences and limited stopping distances.
Another critical factor that makes the expressway impractical for motorbikes is the absence of safe shoulders or escape lanes. This makes the chances of an incident causing severe injuries to a rider much higher.
The ban on motorcycles is anchored in a Gazette Notice dated December 31, 2020. The notice was issued ahead of the road’s completion and eventual commissioning.
It is worth noting that it is not only boda boda operators who are banned from accessing the expressway, with operators restricting any traffic which is not four-wheeled and above. This includes bicycles, tuk-tuks, handcarts, skaters and pedestrians.
This decision follows global highway safety standards, which restrict expressways to vehicles which are capable of maintaining consistent high speeds and offering sufficient protection of their occupants.
Despite the strict restrictions, there have been rare and exceptional moments when motorcycles have been spotted on the expressway. One of the more notable instances took place during the national mourning period for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in October 2025.
At the time, ahead of the arrival of the former PM’s body, hundreds of boda boda operators flocked to the expressway in a bid to get to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to catch a glimpse of the fallen politician.
Since such instances were exceptional and unplanned, MOJA Expressway had little option but to accommodate the events that were unfolding.
On the issue of bans on the expressway, it also happens that four-wheelers and above can also get restrictions on accessing the highway under several unique circumstances.
