Boda-boda association seeks audience in an ongoing probe by MPs
National
By
Esther Nyambura
| Apr 17, 2024
Boda-Boda Safety Association of Kenya has written to the Clerk of the National Assembly seeking to be heard in an ongoing sector probe by the Finance and National Planning Department Committee.
This follows a recent meeting with another association claiming to represent Boda Boda operators in the country.
In the meeting, the said association chaired by one Charles Gichira discussed with the Finance Committee the considerations of enacting regulations to guide the operations of the Buy-Now-Pay-Later (BNPL) credit providers, to protect boda boda operators from further exploitation by lenders.
According to reports, Gichira’s association represents over two million operators in the country.
However, the Boda-Boda Safety Association claims that they are the legally registered association that handles boda-boda issues in the country.
READ MORE
State seeks legal backing to spy on your M-Pesa, bank accounts
X wins court reprieve in battle over extreme Australian content
Boost for Lapsset as Ethiopia imports fertiliser via Lamu port
Queries over McKinsey contract in Kenya's e-mobility transition
Indian insurance brokerage firm IIRM enters Kenyan market
Boeing's problems rattle US aviation regulator as well
China-Africa trade expo in Kenya ends with call for robust business ties
Unlock agribusiness through the declaration on soil and fertiliser
Insurance literacy builds trust, mitigates potential conflicts
According to Boba-Boda Safety Association chair Kevin Mubadi, they too should be given an audience to air their views on the matter.
Adding that their lack of representation will cause discontent among its members.
“We are deeply concerned that the parliamentary probe has been initiated without consultation with the legally registered association that handles Boda-Boda issues in the country, which I lead. It is disheartening to learn from media reports that the finance committee has met with individuals claiming to be the National Boda-Boda leadership, causing widespread discontent among the Boda-Boda leadership across 47 counties due to clear misrepresentation,” said Mubandi.
Adding that: “We, therefore, conclude that whatever the team purported to represent from the Boda-Boda leadership is null and void and does not represent the true voice of the riders and its leadership, and the committee should reconsider the information.”
The debate around the Buy-Now-Pay-Later (BNPL) follows concerns raised regarding the measures and mechanisms the government has put in place to regulate the activities of Buy-Now-Pay-Later (BNPL) credit providers in the country, including addressing rogue lending institutions responsible for violations of consumer’ rights.
- State seeks legal backing to spy on your M-Pesa, bank accounts
- Queries over McKinsey contract in Kenya's e-mobility transition
- KPA land worth Sh2.9 billion has been grabbed, committee reveals
- Miraa farmers sue Murkomen, KAA over Sh4,000 levy at JKIA