Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has signalled that boda boda operators may soon be banned from operating within Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD), saying the government is exploring ways to regulate the sector more strictly.
Speaking on a televised talk show on Monday, September 16, 2025, Omollo said that while boda bodas play an important transport role in residential and suburban areas, their presence in the CBD may no longer be justifiable.
“Within the CBD of Nairobi, I don’t see any need for us to have boda bodas there, but in the residences or out of town, they play a huge role,” he said.
Omollo emphasised that consultations are already underway with various stakeholders; including county officials, transport groups, and rider associations, to determine if, when, and how the changes would be implemented. He stressed that any decision will not be unilateral.
“We are already having conversations on when boda bodas will be removed from CBD. I cannot give a timeline because it will depend on when we bring everybody to the table and agree on how to do that,” the PS added.
The discussion comes amid ongoing efforts by city authorities to decongest Nairobi’s city centre, restore order, and improve traffic flow.
Critics of boda boda operations in the CBD have cited issues such as congestion, traffic rule violations, and safety concerns. Omollo said balancing the economic contribution of the riders with public safety and order remains a priority.
While no formal directive has been issued yet, the PS’s remarks suggest that the government is leaning toward restricting boda boda access to downtown areas, dependent on agreement among stakeholders.
By Newsmedia