Nairobi boda boda operators to register with new body

A boda boda rider in Nairobi on November 14, 2017. PHOTO | DIANA NGILA | NMG

What you need to know:

  • They have agreed to City Hall's regulations amid ban from the CBD.
  • The operators accused Starehe MP Charles Njagua, alias Jaguar, of trying to play politics with the boda boda issue.

City Hall will now require all boda boda operators plying their trade within Nairobi County to be registered members of the United Boda Boda Association.

The operators will need to be part of the newly formed body in order to operate in designated areas of the city but will not be allowed into the central business district (CBD).

Speaking after a meeting with Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, the motorcycle operators agreed to work within the given regulations.

"We had a meeting with the Governor Sonko and we have all agreed to work in accordance to the law. We have resolved all other pending issues too," said Ken Onyango, the chairperson of Nairobi CBD Boda Boda operators Tuesday.

Mr Onyango, who was accompanied by several other boda boda operators, said they were very happy with Sonko’s intervention.

They also said that Starehe MP Charles Njagua, alias Jaguar, is trying to play politics with the issue.

This comes after Mr Njagua last week rushed to court to sue Mr Sonko for ejecting boda boda operators from the Nairobi CBD.

Mr Onyango claimed that the first time lawmaker was after cheap publicity but should have sat with the county boss to seek solutions rather than rushing to court.

“Leadership is not about war. This order (to vacate CBD) was from national government. Governor Sonko has however agreed that he will support us and we shall also follow the laws in place," said Onyango.

But in a separate interview, Mr Njagua said there was no bad blood between him and Mr Sonko.

"Having different ideas does not mean I'm fighting the county. I'm a very good friend of the Governor," he said.

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