Senate summons CS Matiang'i, IG Mutyambai over boda boda sector mess

While demanding stern action against rogue boda boda riders who sexually harassed and assaulted a woman on Wangari Maathai Road in Nairobi, the senators noted that such incidences have become a normal occurrence.

According to the disgruntled lawmakers, impunity has become the second nature of some boda boda riders who have made it the norm to take the law into their own hands.

Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja, who triggered the debate, apologized to the lady terrorized by the rogue riders and demanded involved agencies to come up with ways to clean up the sector. 

“The House to summon Interior CS Fred Matiangi, Police IG Hillary Mutyambai, Nairobi traffic commandant, Nairobi regional commissioner, NTSA and leadership of boda bodas to discuss ways of restoring order and sanity in the sector,” he said.

Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo likewise stated that though the sector has given employment to youth, it is unacceptable for a few rogue riders to dent the image of motorcycle operators, citing that additional sectors need to be created to govern the sector. 

“You can't miss an element of people who are wrong. What happened on Friday is unacceptable,” she said.

Marsabit Senator Godana Hargura blamed the mess in the sector on its origin, saying it boda boda sector started off on the wrong foot. 

“They need to have a license like any other motorist because right now what is going on is an individual who just buys a motorbike, trains and learns while using the same motorbike on the road where the road users, he said.

The act was also condemned by Westlands MP Tim Wanyonyi who termed the act barbaric and unacceptable. 

‘’I join other Kenyans in condemning the cruel assault meted against a young, enterprising female motorist yesterday.  The violence unleashed on her was inhumane, disgusting, demeaning and heartbreaking,” he said.

Wanyonyi said legal regulatory framework must be put in place to contain rogue operators who terrorize city residents.