Members of the National Assembly have supported a Petition drawn by the Digital Boda Boda Drivers and Deliveries Association of Kenya, seeking the enactment of legislation to regulate the sector and to protect them from exploitative tendencies. 

 The lawmakers were reacting after the Petition submitted by the Association’s Executive Chairperson, Mr. Calvince Okumu, was presented to the House by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Moses Wetang’ula, on Wednesday 18, 2024.

 The petitioners had cited unfair classification, lopsided contracts, oppressive pricing formulas, unfavourable working conditions, arbitrary administrative action, data protection violations and lack of recognition, as among the challenges facing the sector.

The petitioners in particular claimed that digital platforms such as Bolt, Glovo and Uber charge them extortionate commissions which exceed the 18 percent that is recommended for the sector.

This, they noted, had subjected the riders to losses after accounting for operational costs. Moreover, they decried the lack of designated parking spaces leading to unfair harassment from traffic police and county officials.

Speaker Wetang’ula directed the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, to which the petition was committed, to consider the matter expeditiously.

 “Chairperson, Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, I deliberately side-stepped the Public Petitions Committee and committed this Petition to your Committee so that you can take the opportunity to deal with the chaotic situation in our public transport sector. I expect you to bring a report to this House within 60 days,” he said. 

 Weighing in on the matter, a number of legislators faulted companies that run the e-hailing platforms for exploiting the boda boda riders and taxi drivers. 

 Noting that the Boda-Boda sector had become entrenched as part of Kenya’s public transport, Members underscored the need to have the sector well-regulated and urged the Committee to comprehensively look at the matter.

 “Nowadays if you take e-hailing taxis or boda boda, you will see how frustrated the drivers and the riders are when the final destination cost comes on their phones,” said Langata MP, Hon. Phelix Odiwuor.

 Sigowet-Soin MP, Hon. Justice Kemei urged the House to look at the petition from a global perspective so as to regulate the sector, bring normalcy and safety.

 While acknowledging the exploitative tendencies of the owners of the e-hailing platforms on the service providers, Dagoretti South lawmaker, Hon. John Kiarie called on local innovators to consider creating home-grown e-hailing platforms so as to ensure that all proceeds on the services are left in the country.

 “Let us develop our own technology to enable these riders to have a hailing technology that is home-grown so that all the proceeds 100 percent can remain in the country”, Hon. Kiarie said.

 The Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Transport and Infrastructure, Hon. George Kariuki (Ndia) pledged that the Committee would expeditiously look into the Petition and make recommendations to the House.

 “It is true that this digital boda-boda and drivers association of Kenya members are facing a myriad of challenges. The platforms that engage this association are extractive and parasitic. These riders work very hard to earn a living like all of us and should be supported in all ways” the Ndia legislator said.

Other Members who commented on the petition were Nominated MP, Irene Mayaka, Manyatta MP, Hon. John Mukunji, Kipkelion East MP, Joseph Cherorot and Dagoretti North MP, Beatrice Elachi.