Vehicles in a traffic jam on Muranga Road in Nairobi on January 30, 2025.
Operators of public service vehicles have threatened a nationwide starting on Monday next week, if the government does not take action to curb what they described as rising lawlessness among boda boda riders.
The operators cited an increase in incidents where boda boda riders have allegedly set fire to matatus and other vehicles after an incident occurs.
The Matatu Owners Association (MOA) said this decision follows a series of incidents involving motorcycle operators which they claim have endangered commuters and disrupted traffic.
The group has accused boda boda riders of reckless driving, harassing other road users and encroaching on matatu routes.
Led by MOA chairperson Albert Karakacha, the group accused the government of failing to hold those responsible to account, despite repeated reports to the relevant authorities.
Mr Karakacha added that matatu owners no longer felt protected by the state, leaving them with no option but to strike.
“We have repeatedly raised these concerns with the authorities, but no action has been taken,” Mr Karakacha said while addressing the media on Wednesday in Nairobi. “If the government does not act, we have no choice but to suspend operations to protect our members and passengers.”
A boda-boda rider ferries a passenger in Eldoret town, Uasin Gishu County.
“Our vehicles have been burned; we talked to the police, we have written to the transport minister and nothing has happened. From Monday, we will withdraw all vehicles from the roads until the government listens to us,” Mr Karakacha added.
The Ministry of Transport did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The operators threatened to take the law into their own hands, accusing the government of failing to protect private property.
Although they claimed not to be actively seeking confrontation, they criticised the authorities for neglecting their duty and suggested possible acts of retaliation.
Vehicle arson attacks
“I also want to remind people that before the reformation of the matatu industry, there was something known as ‘kamjesh’. Our young people reformed, organised themselves into saccos, became operators, wore uniforms and obtained licences from the government. But if the government is no longer protecting us, then anywhere a boda boda rider stops and starts stoning a matatu or a private vehicle, all vehicles there will stop and deal with them on the spot,” said Mr Karakacha.
The transport groups have urged President William Ruto to intervene following a spate of vehicle arson attacks, including the torching of a matatu and a private car over the weekend. At least nine vehicles have been set alight in the past six months, and there have been no arrests.
“Boda boda operators have become judge, jury and executioner,” said Peter Murima, chair of the Motorists Association of Kenya. The officials said that authorities, including the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the Transport Cabinet Secretary, have not responded.
In other news, on Wednesday, cryptocurrency exchange Binance launched a safety awareness campaign aimed at Nairobi’s boda-boda riders, linking road safety with digital financial security. Riders received helmets and reflective vests, and attended training sessions that highlighted the parallels between physical safety and cybersecurity.
“A helmet can save your life, but many riders cannot afford proper gear,” said Calvince Okumu, president of the Digital Boda Drivers and Deliveries Association of Kenya. “Just as we rely on helmets to reduce risks on the road, we need tools to protect our earnings in the digital space.”
Binance emphasised technical safeguards, including multi-factor authentication, data encryption and real-time monitoring, to protect users online.
The wreckage of a Mash Poa bus that was set alight by angry boda boda riders at Salgaa, on the Nakuru–Eldoret highway, after the bus hit and killed one of them.
“Wearing a helmet is a simple yet powerful way to protect users,” said Saruni Maina, Binance Africa’s regional operations lead. “Security measures must be in place before you face risk, whether you're navigating the streets of Nairobi or engaging in the financial world.”
The campaign comes at a time when Kenya is seeing a growing adoption of digital assets, and highlights the need for greater awareness of online fraud.
Commuters in Nairobi, where matatus are the main form of public transport, could face delays or disruptions if the strike goes ahead.
