PROF. MAKAU MUTUA REFUSES TO APOLOGISED OVER BODA BODA REMARKS , LABELS SECTOR 'LAWLES'

Prof. Makau Mutua has firmly rejected calls to apologise for his remarks on the boda boda industry, stating that he stands by his words and has nothing to withdraw.

The statement was released today, Friday, through his official X (formerly Twitter) account, in response to a demand by the Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya (BAK), which had criticised him for supporting the removal of motorcycles from urban areas.

In his post, Prof. Mutua described the boda boda sector as lawless and chaotic. He cited numerous traffic violations by riders, including riding in the wrong direction, carrying multiple passengers including children at high speeds, operating without helmets or insurance, fleeing from accident scenes, and assaulting others during road incidents.

“You have become a lawless industry, your riders are a menace to society and a blight on our cities and towns,” he stated.

Prof. Mutua further argued that no modern city should allow such disorder, and insisted that the sector must operate within the confines of Kenya’s constitution and traffic laws.

The remarks have sparked further debate around the conduct and regulation of the boda boda sector, which continues to be a vital yet contentious mode of transport in the country. So far, BAK has not issued a formal response to the latest statement.