The government has announced sweeping reforms in Kenya’s boda boda industry, introducing compulsory re-registration, new uniforms and strict leadership structures designed to restore order in a sector long linked to unruly behaviour.

Every rider will now be required to register afresh, declare a fixed area of operation, and belong to a recognised stage under a chairman.

The chairmen, according to the regulations, will shoulder direct responsibility for riders at their stations and risk arrest if those riders are implicated in crime or acts of lawlessness.

The measures follow months of concern over violent incidents involving riders, including cases where groups descended on accident scenes and destroyed vehicles.

Authorities said the changes aim to create a lasting framework of accountability within the popular transport service.

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Nairobi Regional Police Commander George Seda questioned the mob attacks that have alarmed the public.

“How do you burn someone’s vehicle because one rider was hit? The law applies to individuals, not groups,” Seda posed.

The Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya has endorsed the new order and confirmed that the process will commence immediately.

Its president, Kevin Mubadi, explained the approach, saying, “Registration begins today after mapping all stages. Those who do not register must leave the sector immediately. Chairmen will be held accountable if they cannot identify riders involved in incidents.”

To enhance visibility, uniforms in colours unique to each sub-county will be rolled out, allowing riders to be identified quickly.

Assistant Inspector General Fredrick Ochieng detailed the system: “Each county will have its own registration system, including sub-county and stage. This way, if a motorbike commits an offence in Mombasa, we can trace it back to Nairobi and the exact stage.”

Obtaining a new number plate will not be automatic.

Riders must produce a valid licence, an insurance cover, two helmets, and a certificate of good conduct before they are cleared.

“You must register with a stage SACCO and meet all requirements, including a certificate of good conduct, to prove you are not involved in criminal activities,” Ochieng added.

Officials have cast the crackdown as a broader attempt to dismantle criminal gangs exploiting the sector while discouraging mob justice.

For riders, it signals a stricter era of regulation that could reshape one of the most widely used modes of transport in the country.