Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji blames police for challenges plaguing boda boda sector

Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji has accused the National Police Service (NPS) of allegedly being at the centre of the problems plaguing the country's boda boda sector.

Appearing before the National Assembly on Thursday, Mukunji claimed that a number of rogue elements within the police department are colluding with criminals and cartels to steal boda bodas from local operators.

"The boda boda sector requires our support as a house but we have to call it like it is. The biggest challenge (facing boda boda operators) is our police officers," said Mukunji.

"If there are people who face the wrath of the police in Kenya, it is the boda boda people. Because the moment a boda boda is lost you will find cartels riding them. In terms of stealing of boda bodas, a police officer must be in the middle of all that problem."

Mukunji similarly urged the House to protect the boda boda sector from shylocks who he noted are stealing from operators in broad daylight.

"I know a man from my ward who borrowed Ksh.15k and bought a bodaboda. He paid that bodaboda to an amount exceeding 85 percent of what he is supposed to pay but then to the shock of many, the boda boda got stolen and Watu Credit, took the Insurance money that the bodaboda had and never gave a single coin to that boda boda person," he said.

"Even today that man has never recovered from the loss of his boda boda which was the source of his livelihood."  

While advocating for the establishment of a Nyumba Kumi initiative to address the problems facing boda boda operators, Mukunji urged Parliament to enact regulations that will safeguard the riders' wellbeing.

"I would really plead with this house not to stop at this juncture of the motion but push it further and let us as quick as possible get some regulations that are going to protect our people," he said.

"I propose also a formation of Nyumba Kumis for boda bodas so that in the security issues, they themselves are taking charge instead of the police that are right in the middle of many cartels."

Mukunji correspondingly expressed support for President William Ruto's call for the adoption of electric motorcycles which he said could considerably boost revenue generated from the boda boda sector.