NAIROBI, Kenya — Boda boda riders operating in Eastleigh and other parts of Kamukunji Sub-County have welcomed the introduction of numbered reflector vests, saying the move has strengthened customer trust, improved accountability, and enhanced safety within the sector.
The reflectors, issued by the Kamukunji Bodaboda Association, bear unique identification numbers and clearly indicate the stage or zone where each rider operates.
The initiative, recently rolled out across Eastleigh, is part of wider efforts to formalise the largely informal boda boda industry and address persistent security concerns.
Riders say the new system has made it easier for passengers to identify genuine operators and distinguish them from individuals who use motorcycles to commit crimes or impersonate registered riders.
Duncan Wawire, the chairman of Keroe Street Bodaboda Riders in the California area of Eastleigh, said the reflectors have significantly improved how riders are perceived in the city.
“We are thankful for the reflectors. When you go to town, they used to ask you where you are from, but now the reflector identifies you without even saying a word,” Wawire said.
He noted that clear identification has helped separate legitimate operators from criminals who exploit motorcycles for illegal activities.
“It is also good for customers because it helps them choose genuine riders. This will now help everyone to know where every boda boda operates from,” he added.
Under the new system, riders are zoned according to specific stages and roads, with each stage having its own leadership structure. Riders say this has improved coordination and discipline within the sector.
Mohamed Shukri Ali Shakura, a rider from the California area, said zoning has brought order to operations in Eastleigh’s busy streets.
“California has different roads, and every road has its own picking point and stage for boda bodas in those areas,” he said.
Shakura added that the system has strengthened internal oversight, making it easier to identify outsiders or criminals posing as riders.
“Each stage has its chairman, and he helps in identifying his people or those who operate from that stage,” he explained.
The initiative comes amid heightened scrutiny of the boda boda sector following rising security concerns, including cases of robbery and violent crime linked to impersonation by unregistered riders. With unique numbers on the reflectors, authorities and stage officials can now trace riders more easily and respond swiftly to complaints or misconduct.
According to the Kamukunji Bodaboda Association, the reflector programme is part of a broader push to regulate the industry, enhance safety standards and reduce conflicts among riders.
The association has been working closely with local administrators, police and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to improve compliance with safety regulations and promote responsible riding.
Riders expressed optimism that the initiative will help restore public confidence in the boda boda sector, which remains a key source of transport and employment in Nairobi’s informal settlements.
“With proper identification and accountability, both riders and passengers will feel safer,” one rider said. “This is the order we have been waiting for.”
