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Sonko bans boba boda operators from city centre

By COLLINS OMULO January 23rd, 2018 2 min read

Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has banned boda boda operators from the city centre.

According to a notice in one of the local dailies, the motorcycle operators will no longer access the Central Business District except for the ones ferrying goods.

“Pursuant to the provisions of the Traffic Act CAP 403 of 2014 of the Laws of the Republic of Kenya, the county government of Nairobi wishes to inform all motorcycle operators ferrying passengers to and from the CBD that such activities have been banned with immediate effect,” the notice, by acting county secretary Mr Leboo Morintat, read in part.

HEFTY FINES

The notice warns of hefty fines, arrests and long jail terms for operators found contravening the directive.

“Any operator and passenger found contravening this law will be arrested for an offence punishable by hefty fines and long jail terms as provided for in the Traffic Act, 2014,” states the notice.

Director of operations at Nairobi City Inspectorate Department Peter Mbaya said that the directive is already in force and warned the boda boda riders covered in the notice not to flout the rule.

He said the county had not assigned parking lots in the central business district.

Mr Mbaya added that the boda boda operators were rogue and do not respect traffic rules while also claiming that many cases have been reported of criminals using motorcycles to flee after crimes.

‘WORK WITH GANGSTERS’

“Some of these boda boda riders work with gangsters. We cannot risk allowing them to continue operating within the CBD.”

The move comes amidst increased mugging in the city centre prompting Nairobi County’s response through the formation of an anti-mugging squad aimed at reining on the vice in the city centre.

Already more than 20 people have been arrested by the newly formed squad and are set to be arraigned in court.