After years of chaos and lawlessness, the Kenyan government is finally addressing the boda boda crisis that has been plaguing the country’s roads. The new set of rules, developed after public outcry and violent incidents, is meant to bring order to the motorcycle transport sector.

The rules were formulated after a meeting between senior police officials and the National Boda Boda Association leadership. The meeting was led by Regional Police Commander George Seda when public frustration with boda boda misconduct had reached a boiling point.

The New Boda Boda Rules

Under the new rules, all boda boda riders will be required to wear county-specific uniforms with unique identification numbers. Each sub-county will have its own color scheme for these uniforms so that authorities can identify riders and deter criminal activity.

In addition to the uniform requirements, riders will also need to meet the following conditions:

• Minimum Age: Riders must be at least 18 years old.
• Valid Driving Licenses: All riders must have a valid driving license.
• Certificates of Good Conduct: Riders must have a certificate showing they have no criminal record.
• Two Helmets: Each rider will be required to carry two helmets—one for themselves and one for a passenger.

All riders will also need to register with local authorities and join SACCOs (Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations) and stage chamas (financial groups). These groups are meant to instill discipline, offer support and provide a structure for riders to grow legitimate businesses.

Boda Boda-Related Crime

These rules come after a spate of boda boda related crime including the murder of city lawyer Kyalo Mbobu on September 9. Mbobu was shot by assailants on a motorcycle along Magadi Road. Boda bodas are being used as getaway vehicles by criminals and it’s harder to trace them compared to cars.

In response to the rising crime, Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu has called for the introduction of larger, more visible front number plates on motorcycles. The idea is to make it easier for cameras and witnesses to identify motorcycles involved in crime especially when they speed away from the scene.“We need to think more seriously about motorcycles. Once a crime is committed we should be able to trace the motorcycle within two to three days,” Nyutu said in an interview on Citizen TV.

Lawless Conduct at Accident Scenes

Besides the crime wave, there has been growing concern about violent behavior by boda boda riders at accident scenes. Cases have been reported where vehicles were stoned or torched after accidents especially in areas like Juja and Luanda. In some cases pedestrians have also been victimized by angry groups of riders taking the law into their hands.

Commander Seda has said no more. He has said that law enforcement is the responsibility of police and other authorized agencies and that those who break the law will face personal consequences. No more group punishment.

Kevin Mbadi, chairman of Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya, agrees, saying local boda boda leaders will be cracked down on if vehicles are torched in their areas without the perpetrators being identified.

To support riders who find themselves in trouble for legitimate reasons, Mbadi’s association has partnered with lawyers to offer free legal services for road cases.

Financial Support and Business Growth for Riders

While the rules are about control and accountability, they also acknowledge the challenges many boda boda operators face to make an honest living. By requiring riders to join SACCOs and chamas, the government is trying to create financial stability and opportunities for riders to build a legitimate business.

The new registration system will prevent criminals from using stolen or unregistered motorcycles. It will also give legitimate riders credibility, access to services and a more organized and professional sector.

The Future of Boda Boda Regulation

Success of these new rules will depend on enforcement. Previous attempts to regulate boda boda have failed because while rules were set, they were not implemented.

But with consequences clear and both police and boda boda associations on the same page, the chances of change are higher. The real test will be in the next few months when these rules are rolled out on the ground.

The DCI has denied claims that it has been spying on Kenyans’ mobile phones and other digital devices. The allegations, which were published in the Daily Nation, accused the DCI of installing spy software on activist Bryan Adagala’s devices to monitor his communications.

DCI Dismisses Surveillance Claims

In a statement on Friday, the DCI labelled the claims as “false and sensational”. The agency said it cannot provide more information at this time as it is an ongoing court matter. Despite the media reports, the DCI assured the public that it operates within the law and will never breach individuals’ privacy.

“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) wishes to address the misleading claims published in today’s Daily Nation regarding alleged surveillance of mobile phones and other digital devices by the DCI,” the statement read. “We refute these claims as false and sensational, meant to mislead the public and undermine the DCI.”

DCI’s Commitment to Kenyans’ Rights

The DCI also told the public that it takes its responsibility seriously and operates within legal boundaries. The statement further reiterated their commitment to protecting all Kenyans’ rights and privacy and that no activities are done that compromise constitutional principles.

“We want to assure the members of the public that the DCI operates strictly within the law. Our commitment to upholding the rights and privacy of all Kenyans is unwavering and we do not engage in any activities that compromise these constitutional principles,” the DCI added.

A Closer Look

The claims about the DCI’s alleged surveillance were published in an article in Daily Nation which said the agency used advanced spy software to track activist Bryan Adagala’s digital activities. The article has raised concerns about privacy and government institutions overreach in monitoring citizens.

What’s Next?

As the story continues to unfold, the DCI is not providing more details. The matter is now a court case, so we may get more information once the case is concluded. For now, the public is left with the DCI’s assurance that it operates within Kenyan law.

Public Opinion

While the DCI has denied the claims, the public is divided. Some are concerned about privacy while others believe the DCI is following procedure. We will see what the court case will reveal.

The SportPesa brand ownership battle has taken a new turn with the Office of the Registrar of Trademarks at the centre of a storm. The latest suit is alleging fraudulent transfer, tax evasion and forgery in the transfer of the gaming giant’s trademark.

Paul Wanderi Ndung’u, a 17% shareholder in Pevans East Africa, the company that brought SportPesa to Kenya in 2014, has filed a case to nullify the transfer of the brand from Pevans to UK-based SportPesa Global Holdings Limited (SPGHL). According to Ndung’u, the transfer valued at £100,000 (Sh17.3 million) per trademark was illegal and marred with irregularities.

Disputed Deeds and Missing Stamp Duty

At the heart of the dispute is a deed of assignment, the legal document that validates the transfer of ownership of a trademark. While filings show the transfer was based on a September 1, 2020 deed, the registrar approved the transaction using a June 2 deed—raising questions about authenticity. Ndung’u says no proper deed was filed and stamp duty was never paid.

“Without stamp duty, the approval and registration of the assignments are null and void,” he said, further arguing that SPGHL, as a non-registered foreign company in Kenya, was not eligible to get a KRA PIN or remit tax.

Shareholder Fallout and Alleged Dilution

The case also highlights the bitter fallout among SportPesa’s original investors. Ndung’u and fellow shareholder Asenath Wachera who held 38% of Pevans, accuse CEO Ronald Karauri of backing the questionable transfer. They also claim their stakes in the UK-based SPGHL were unlawfully diluted from 38% to under 2%.

Ndung’u says the transfer was not approved by shareholders and points out that SPGHL’s financial statements between 2020 and 2023 do not reflect the £200,000 paid for the trademarks. He describes this as evidence that the transaction “lacked commercial authenticity”.

Registrar Accused of IrregularitiesThe Registrar of Trademarks is also accused of backdating certificates of assignment to June 2, 2020, despite receiving the application in September. The office also failed to publish the transfer in the Industrial Property Journal, a requirement meant to allow third parties to raise objections.

“This is a serious offence under the Penal Code, equivalent to uttering false documents and forgery,” said Ndung’u.

Broader Implications for the Gaming Industry

The stakes are high as SportPesa was once Kenya’s biggest betting firm before losing its licence in 2019 over unpaid taxes of Sh21.4 billion. After the transfer, SPGHL allowed Milestone Games—a company linked to Karauri and fellow shareholder Robert Macharia—to use the SportPesa name in Kenya, effectively reviving the brand while cutting ties with Pevans’ tax problems.

The matter is set to be heard before Assistant Registrar of Trademarks Eunice Wainaina, even as Milestone, Pevans, and SPGHL argue that the High Court—not the registrar—has jurisdiction over the dispute.

With accusations of fraud, forgery, and corporate betrayal now in the spotlight, the outcome of this case could reshape not only the ownership of SportPesa but also the governance of intellectual property in Kenya’s lucrative gaming industry.

Some ride-hailing users in Kenya are falling prey to a growing scam—being slapped with fake debt claims by rogue drivers. The scam has left passengers inconvenienced and frustrated as unwarranted arrears are added to their accounts.

How it Works

The trick mainly targets riders who pay via cash or M-Pesa. Unscrupulous drivers report that a passenger failed to clear a fare and a debt is entered against the customer’s account. This “debt” is then carried forward and added to future ride charges.

In one case, a Business Daily staff was billed Sh90 extra despite having paid Sh250 in cash.

Ride-Hailing Firms React

Both Uber and Bolt have acknowledged receiving such complaints and warned drivers against the scam.

Uber told its driver-partners:

“We have noticed a worrying trend of some drivers falsely reporting non-payment for cash and M-Pesa trips to get an Uber refund. This is a violation of our Community Guidelines,” the company said.

The firm will investigate and drivers found guilty will be deactivated from the platform.

Bolt also confirmed isolated cases of the scam and said it has increased internal checks.

“To protect our riders and ensure fairness we have robust systems to verify all refund requests. Drivers found abusing the process will be reprimanded, repeat offenders will be removed from the platform,” said Dimmy Kanyankole, Bolt’s General Manager for Kenya and Tanzania.

The Bigger Picture

The hybrid payment system—which allows riders to pay with cash, cards or mobile money—has been key to the growth of ride-hailing in Kenya. But it has also created an opportunity for dishonest drivers to manipulate.

Uber said false reports damage the platform:

“False reports hurt Uber’s reputation, drives away genuine customers and reduces driver earnings.”

Protecting Passengers

While both firms say such cases are isolated, the scam highlights the need for stricter verification to protect passengers. For users it’s a reminder to always keep payment proof—whether an M-Pesa confirmation message or a receipt—for use in disputing fraudulent claims.

Filing tax returns has always been a headache for many Kenyans but the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is now making it easier for salaried employees. Thanks to the integration of its internal systems, workers who only earn from employment will no longer have to go through the hassle of manually entering their income details every year.

How it Works

Instead of keying in all their salary and tax details, workers will now only need to enter their national ID number on the KRA portal. From there, the system will automatically pre-fill their annual income data, including gross pay and taxes paid.

This new filing model will cover:

• Employees whose only income is employment.
• Workers earning below Sh24,000 per month, who usually file nil returns.

It’s a big shift from the current process where taxpayers had to manually enter every income detail, with failure to comply attracting a Sh2,000 fine or even jail time.

Why the Change

KRA says this is part of its system integration strategy, which links tax data with external government datasets. The aim is to simplify compliance, reduce errors and save time.

“We want to get to a point where if you are purely an employed person or a nil filer, you don’t have to file your returns manually. We’ll prepopulate your details and you’ll just validate,” said KRA Commissioner-General Humphrey Wattanga.

Initially the rollout was delayed due to adjustments in payroll systems to account for new deductions such as the housing levy and the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF).

Penalties and Waivers

Currently, workers who miss the June 30 filing deadline are fined Sh2,000. However, the law allows KRA to waive penalties if delays are beyond a taxpayer’s control—such as system downtime.

For example, earlier this year KRA extended the deadline for 2024 returns by five days after its iTax system crashed due to heavy traffic. In a public notice, Wattanga assured Kenyans that penalties for late filing during this period would be waived, provided returns were submitted by July 5, 2025.

Upgrading iTax and Other Core Systems

To avoid such disruptions in future, KRA is upgrading its infrastructure. This includes:

• Upgrading old systems (some over 10 years old).
• Improving security and stability of the tax filing platforms.
• Migrating iTax to the cloud.

Wattanga says KRA is also working on the Integrated Customs Management System (iCMS) to modernise customs operations.

What this means for you

If you are an employed person, tax season will soon be less painful. No more worrying about missing details or penalties, just confirm the pre-populated information. For nil filers, compliance will be as simple as logging in and validating.