Senate to Pull Back Boda boda Bill Amid Public Concerns
On Wednesday, April 23, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula shocked Members of Parliament by announcing the Senate’s decision to pull back the bill.
“I have received a letter from the Speaker of the Senate informing me that the sponsor of the bill in the Senate requests its withdrawal and cessation of further consideration,” he told MPs.
Public Fury Forces Lawmakers to Rethink
The bill, championed by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, aimed to regulate boda boda operations countrywide. It proposed the registration of motorcycles with counties, tracking devices, and employment contracts for riders.
However, it sparked immediate public outrage—particularly over the harsh penalties.
For example, it imposed a Ksh20,000 fine for riding on walkways and a Ksh100,000 fine or one-year jail term for riders found colluding to harm others.
Despite protests from boda boda riders and civil society, the bill had already passed its first reading in the National Assembly on February 13, 2025.
Khalwale Bows to Pressure
Faced with national backlash, Khalwale urged the Speaker of the Senate to formally request the bill’s withdrawal.
Speaker Wetang’ula acknowledged the unprecedented nature of this move.
“This request presents a novel procedural scenario, as this is the first time that such a request has been received in the bicameral processing of bills in the Houses of Parliament,” he stated.
Speaker Invokes Rare Standing Order
Because Kenya’s Constitution doesn’t allow for the withdrawal of a Senate bill once it enters the National Assembly, Wetang’ula had to intervene personally.
He invoked Standing Order 1, which allows the Speaker to guide unclear procedures.
Following this, he directed the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure to file a motion to discharge the bill.
If Parliament agrees, the bill will be formally scrapped from the National Assembly’s business.
What’s Next for Boda Boda Operators?
This decision signals a major win for boda boda operators, many of whom feared the bill would cripple their livelihoods.
It also sends a strong message: public voices still matter in Kenyan lawmaking.
For now, the boda boda sector can breathe a sigh of relief—though future regulations may still return, perhaps in a more consultative manner.
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Senate to Pull Back Boda boda Bill Amid Public Concerns
