By Robert Mutasi 
Reckless riding by boda boda operators in Eldoret City has come under renewed scrutiny after the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) launched a new digital management system aimed at restoring order in one of Kenya’s fastest-growing but most accident-prone transport sectors.
The initiative comes as Eldoret continues to grapple with increasing cases of motorcycle riders flouting traffic regulations, including running red lights, riding on pedestrian walkways and ignoring basic road safety rules, exposing pedestrians, motorists and passengers to serious danger.
Speaking during a stakeholder sensitization forum held in Eldoret, NTSA officials said the newly introduced Boda Boda Management System (BMS) is expected to strengthen regulation, improve accountability and reduce the growing number of road crashes involving motorcycles.
The meeting brought together officials from NTSA, the Uasin Gishu County Government, the National Police Service and representatives of boda boda operators to discuss measures aimed at improving safety and professionalism within the sector.
NTSA official Samwel Mwangi described the Boda Boda Management System as a flagship digital initiative under the National Road Safety Action Plan 2024-2028, designed to modernize oversight of motorcycle taxi operations across the country.
“The system is aimed at promoting safe, legal and accountable public service motorcycle operations through structured registration,” Mwangi said.
He explained that the centralized digital platform will register, regulate and monitor boda boda operators while providing reliable data to support enforcement and policy decisions at both national and county levels.
“The system will also support data-driven decision-making for road safety management by enabling government agencies to access accurate information on motorcycle operations,” he added.
The rollout comes amid growing concern over the rising number of road crashes involving motorcycles.
According to NTSA, 431 people lost their lives in motorcycle-related crashes within three months, while police statistics indicate 9,996 road casualties involving motorcycles over a 17-month period.
The authority further estimates that boda boda riders and their passengers account for more than 65 percent of Kenya’s approximately 4,000 annual road fatalities, making the sector one of the country’s biggest road safety concerns.
Mwangi acknowledged that the boda boda industry has become a vital source of employment and an essential mode of transport for millions of Kenyans. However, he said its rapid growth has not been matched by compliance with traffic laws and safety standards.
In Eldoret, authorities expressed concern over the increasing number of riders who ignore traffic lights installed at major intersections, ride against traffic flow and operate without observing road regulations.
The behavior, officials said, has contributed to frequent accidents and placed pedestrians at significant risk, particularly within the city’s busy Central Business District.
Participants at the forum agreed that stronger enforcement, structured registration and continuous safety education are necessary to restore discipline in the sector.
The meeting was chaired by Moiben Deputy County Commissioner Duncan Okwach, who represented Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Eddyson Nyale.
Okwach urged all transport stakeholders to support reforms aimed at making the boda boda industry safer and more organized.
He said improving compliance with traffic regulations would help reduce road crashes, protect passengers and enhance public confidence in motorcycle transport services.
Officials also emphasized that successful implementation of the Boda Boda Management System will depend on cooperation between national and county governments, law enforcement agencies and boda boda operators themselves.
The NTSA said the digital platform forms part of broader efforts under the National Road Safety Action Plan to strengthen multi-agency coordination, improve compliance and leverage technology to enhance road safety across the country.
As Eldoret continues to expand as one of Kenya’s fastest-growing cities, authorities hope the new system will help curb reckless riding, improve accountability among operators and make the city’s roads safer for all users.