NTSA Announces Reduced License Fees and New Speed Limits
Speaking on Saturday, April 19, NTSA Chairman Khatib Mwashetani said the reforms target both rider empowerment and public safety.
“Currently, acquiring a boda boda license costs nearly Ksh15,000—Ksh3,000 for the license and Ksh10,000 for training,” he noted. “As the government, we plan to reduce this cost to as low as Ksh3,000 under very favourable conditions.”
More Than Just Cost Cuts
But that’s not all. Mwashetani emphasized that the reduced fees will remove financial barriers, which have long discouraged proper training and licensing.
“We want boda boda riders to be properly trained and licensed, without fearing the cost,” he said.
In addition, the government hopes this move will boost compliance in a sector notorious for chaos and disregard of traffic laws.
Speed Caps and Safety Rules
Alongside the license fee reduction, NTSA will enforce a strict 80km/h speed limit for all boda bodas. This is part of a wider campaign to curb the alarming number of road accidents.
Moreover, only two people—the rider and one passenger—will be allowed per motorcycle. Both must wear reflective jackets at all times.
“A boda boda will only carry two people—the rider and the passenger. Both of them must also wear reflective jackets,” Mwashetani insisted.
A Sector in Need of Order
With over one million registered boda boda riders, the government is moving fast to inject order into the system.
These new directives follow a Senate-backed bill introduced by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, which aims to regulate the industry more thoroughly.
County-Level Reforms Incoming
- Registration and licensing
- Parking and route designation
- General management of boda boda operations
If passed, all commercial riders must register with their county offices and pay prescribed fees. Riders caught on pedestrian paths will face a Ksh20,000 fine or six months in jail.
Hope for Safer Roads
With the new reforms, authorities hope to create a safer, fairer, and more organized boda boda ecosystem. The changes are expected to protect lives, ease compliance, and empower youth economically.
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NTSA Announces Reduced License Fees and New Speed Limits
