Senate recommends branding boda boda in new regulations
![Senate recommends branding boda boda in new regulations](https://peopledaily.digital/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Boda.png)
A Senate committee has recommended that commercial motorcycles commonly known as boda bodas to be branded in prescribed colours and taken for regular inspections in a move to regulate the sector.
The Senate Roads and Transportation Committee recommendation to the Public Transportation (Motorcycle Regulations) Bill, 2023 also provides that boda bodas will be required to display their registration number plates at the back and in the front, similar to motor vehicles.
The Public Transport (Motorcycle Regulations) Bill, 2023 sponsored by Kakamega lawmaker Dr Boni Khalwale seeks to put in place a legal framework to regulate the use of boda bodas for commercial purposes at the county level.
“The principal objective of this Bill is to put in place a legal framework to regulate the use of motorcycle (boda boda) and three-wheelers (tuk-tuks) in Kenya, by introducing new provisions for their registration, operation, and safety at the county level,” the Bill reads in part.
The Senate Transport Committee in its report want the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) and the Ministry of Transport to review the Traffic (Registration Plates) Rules to ensure that number plates on motorcycles are also placed in the front.
The committee chaired by Kiambu lawmaker Karungo Wa Thang’wa recommends the owners of old motorcycles are to be given three years to comply while every new motorcycle should have the number placed on the front.
In addition, the committee observed that motorcycles used for public transport should be inspected and registered in the county as Public Service Vehicles (PSVs).
“That an amendment be made to ensure that the motorcycles that are utilized for public use are inspected and registered as PSVs,” reads part of the report.
In its report, the committee wants the owner of the motorcycles used for commercial purposes to have their motorcycles branded with a colour band prescribed by the county executive committee member or transport.
The committee in the report observed, that such a move would enable the law enforcers – police officers – to promptly distinguish between PSV motorcycles, which fall under the legislative framework, and private motorcycles, which do not.
In addition, the committee wants the Bill enhanced to introduce a new clause to empower counties to develop county-specific legislation. Khalwale’s bill provides that passengers will also be held responsible for properly wearing a helmet and reflective jacket whenever being carried.