Kibwezi East MP Mwengi Mutuse has announced that upon the resumption of Parliament from recess, he will table a bill aimed at reducing the interest rates charged on loaned motorcycles.

Speaking during an empowerment forum in Mwala Constituency on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, Mutuse expressed concern over the frustrations that many boda boda riders face whenever they acquire motorcycles on loan. According to him, they are often charged exorbitant interest rates, sometimes up to three times the actual value of the units.

Mutuse, who is the vice chair of the JLAC Committee, stated that he will move the motion to regulate the charges. He emphasised that if a motorcycle costs Ksh 150,000 when bought in cash, it should not cost double when bought on credit. He further added that if interest has to be charged on motorcycles acquired on loan, it should not exceed Ksh 30,000.

According to him, this act by these companies infringes on consumer rights.

“Kwa siku nyingi watu wetu wa Boda Boda wamefanyiwa dhuluma, na watu ambao wanakopeshwa bodaboda; ukiangalia Katiba inaongea kuhusu consumer rights.” Mutuse stated

“Ukienda kwa duka hiyo, Boda Boda ni Ksh150K ukinunua cash, lakini malipo ya lipa polepole unalipa deposit, ukimaliza miaka miwili, unakuwa kama umelipa hiyo Boda Boda mara mbili. Nataka niwahidi tukiwa hapa bunge ikifunguliwa nitapeleka mswada bungeni ikuwe ukinunua bodaboda hakuna kulipa mara mbili, ikiwa wanaongeza waongeze ksh20K au maximum ksh30K.”

Babu Owino’s motion

This comes days after Embakasi East lawmaker Babu Owino made a similar suggestion, vowing to table a motion aimed at reducing the interest rate on loaned motorcycles.

While speaking during a church service in Funyula on Sunday, August 31, 2025, the MP expressed his frustrations with the current system, where Kenyans end up paying triple the actual value of items acquired on credit.

He pointed out that many people purchase phones worth Ksh10,000 on loan, but by the time they finish paying, the total cost rises to more than Ksh30,000. He described this as outright exploitation that continues to burden ordinary citizens.

“Nimepeleka mswada huko bungeni, na nimepeleka pamoja na ya Bodaboda; hapa unachukua simu ya Ksh10,000, alafu unaambiwa siku utamaliza kulipa hiyo simu itakuwa over Ksh30,000. Hio ni ungwana ama ni wizi,” Babu Owino stated.

Babu Owino also highlighted the situation facing boda boda riders who acquire motorcycles on loan. In most cases, a motorcycle bought at Ksh100,000 ends up costing as high as Ksh300,000 by the end of repayment. He argued that such inflated interest rates are unfair and oppressive, especially to young people who depend on boda bodas for their livelihood.