The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the Ministries of Cooperatives and Transport have proposed a raft of amendments to the contentious Motorcycle Regulations Bill, sponsored by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale.
The proposals came during a sitting of the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Transport, which is currently reviewing submissions from stakeholders before the Bill proceeds to the next stage.
In its submissions, the Ministry of Transport expressed support for most provisions of the Bill but raised concern over clauses seeking to repeal Sections 21 and 22 of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) Act.
These sections provide for the establishment of County Transport and Safety Committees (CTSCs), which play a crucial role in advising the NTSA and implementing transport policies at the county level.
The Ministry cautioned that replacing CTSCs with new County Transport Boards would lead to duplication of functions and additional public spending, despite significant investments already made in the existing structures.
Meanwhile, KRA recommended several technical adjustments, including a requirement for boda boda riders to provide proof of tax compliance during the registration of commercial motorcycles. The taxman also urged lawmakers to clarify the definition of “County Executive Member responsible for transport” to avoid legal ambiguities.
Additionally, KRA proposed that both riders and passengers be required to sit astride motorcycles, while allowing exemptions for persons with disabilities.
The Ministry of Cooperatives, on its part, suggested inserting a provision to allow boda boda cooperatives to join larger cooperative structures. It argued that such integration would enhance representation, access to services, and financial accountability. The Ministry also called for the Bill to be expanded to include tuk-tuk operators to ensure broader compliance with traffic laws.
Separately, the Private Bikers Association of Kenya (PBAK) strongly opposed applying the Bill’s requirements to non-commercial motorcycles. The association insisted that private motorcycles, used for personal or recreational purposes, should be excluded, arguing that subjecting them to commercial standards would be unfair.
