NTSA Unveils New Changes To License, Fees And Speed Limit

In a significant move aimed at streamlining operations and improving road safety in Kenya’s booming boda boda sector, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) has announced a raft of reforms that include slashing licensing fees and introducing strict new operational guidelines.

The announcement was made on Saturday, April 19, by NTSA Chairman Khatib Mwashetani, who emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing safety standards while supporting the livelihoods of millions of Kenyans who rely on motorcycle taxis for income and transportation.

At the heart of the reforms is the reduction of operation license fees for boda boda riders—a move that the NTSA believes will eliminate financial barriers that have long discouraged riders from formalizing their businesses.

Currently, the total cost of acquiring a boda boda license and undergoing mandatory training hovers around Ksh10,000 to Ksh15,000, a prohibitive amount for many young people entering the sector

Under the new reforms, the NTSA plans to slash this cost by more than half, with the potential of bringing it down to as low as Ksh3,000 for qualifying applicants.

“Currently, acquiring a boda boda license costs nearly Ksh15,000—Ksh3,000 for the driving license and Ksh10,000 for training. As the government, we plan to reduce this cost to as low as Ksh3,000 under very favourable conditions,” Chairman Mwashetani said during the briefing.

The NTSA also announced the introduction of a mandatory speed limit of 80 km/h for all boda bodas. This policy is expected to play a crucial role in curbing road accidents, which have been on the rise in recent years, particularly involving motorcycle taxis.

By limiting speed, the NTSA hopes to create a safer environment for both riders and passengers. In addition to the fee reduction and speed limit, the NTSA revealed several new operational rules targeting the rampant disregard for traffic laws within the sector.

One of the most notable regulations is the strict enforcement of the passenger limit. Moving forward, boda bodas will be permitted to carry only two people, the rider and one passenger. Both individuals will also be required to wear high-visibility reflective jackets at all times while on the road.

“A boda boda will only carry two people—the rider and the passenger. Both of them must also wear reflective jackets,” Mwashetani stressed. “We are doing this not to punish anyone, but to bring sanity and order into the sector and to save lives.”

Kenya has over one million registered boda boda riders, making the sector one of the largest informal employment spaces in the country. However, it has also been one of the most poorly regulated, often plagued by cases of reckless driving, lack of insurance, and untrained operators.

The government hopes these new changes will help address these long-standing issues and encourage more riders to undergo formal training and registration.

The NTSA’s announcement comes in the wake of legislative efforts to regulate the sector at the county level. A recent Bill introduced in the Senate by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, known as the Public Transport (Motorcycle Regulation) Bill 2023, aims to establish structured oversight of the boda boda industry through the creation of a County Motorcycle Transport and Safety Board in every county.

The proposed boards would be tasked with overseeing the management, regulation, and coordination of motorcycle transport services within their respective jurisdictions.

Their responsibilities would include registration and licensing of riders, designation of official boda boda stages, allocation of routes, and regulation of operations.

Under the Bill, anyone seeking to operate a motorcycle for commercial purposes would be required to register with their County Executive Committee Member and pay a standard fee. The Bill also introduces punitive measures for non-compliance.

For instance, anyone found operating a motorcycle on pavements or pedestrian walkways would be subject to a fine of Ksh20,000, imprisonment for up to six months, or both.

Additionally, the Bill proposes mandatory installation of GPS tracking devices on all commercial motorcycles and urges riders to join cooperative societies that can provide insurance and financial management services.

These measures are intended to enhance accountability and protect both riders and passengers in the event of accidents or disputes.

With over a million riders across the country and millions more who rely on the services for daily transportation, the stakes are high. Yet, authorities remain optimistic that these sweeping reforms, if implemented effectively, could be a turning point for Kenya’s boda boda industry.

Chairman Mwashetani concluded his statement by urging riders and stakeholders to embrace the changes. “These reforms are not about punishing the sector—they are about protecting lives, empowering riders, and ensuring that boda bodas are part of a safer, more organized public transport system.”

As the NTSA and lawmakers push ahead with these reforms, all eyes will be on how the implementation unfolds and whether the proposed changes can truly deliver the safety, order, and professionalism that Kenya’s boda boda sector desperately needs.

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