Governor Sakaja orders release of motorbikes impounded by County gov't

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has ordered that all the motorbikes impounded the County government be released and given back to its owners.

In the order issued on Monday, Sakaja asked the City Inspectorate to also identity official drop off and pick up points within Nairobi.

The cases against the riders whose motorbikes had been impounded will also be withdrawn with immediate effect.

In July, the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) had promised to release impounded motorbikes after consultation with the Inspector General of Police.

NMS Director General Mohammed Badi had said that the bikes will be released before the August 9 General Election, admitting that city askaris harass the motorbike riders.

“Since I took over Nairobi I have worked closely with the boda boda associations. It is true that boda boda operators have been harassed by rogue enforcement officers," Badi said.

In March, former Nairobi Governor Anne Kananu had also ordered the release of motorbikes after holding a consultative meeting with stakeholders in the Bodaboda sector.

Kananu issued the directive after holding a consultative meeting with boda boda riders aimed at streamlining the sector.

“I have issued an executive order to the city inspectorate to immediately release motorcycles whose owners are petty offenders who have legit papers for operating,” stated Kananu.