A new service targeting helmet hygiene in Nairobi’s boda boda sector has been launched, amid growing concern that many riders and passengers still overlook cleanliness despite strict safety regulations.
Helmet Hub, a helmet cleaning and sanitisation service, is rolling out across the city, offering boda boda riders a quick way to clean shared helmets in under five minutes.
The initiative comes at a time when enforcement of motorcycle safety rules has intensified, including the requirement for riders to carry two Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)-approved helmets, one for the rider and another for the passenger.
While compliance with helmet laws has improved in recent years, hygiene remains a weak link.
Many passengers routinely decline to wear shared helmets, citing concerns over sweat, odour and the risk of infections.
For riders, this often means lost income or friction with customers who opt to ride without protective gear.
Many boda boda users say helmet hygiene has not received the same attention as enforcement, even though it directly affects public uptake.
In busy urban centres like Nairobi, shared helmets are used multiple times a day, often without cleaning.
Helmet Hub says its service is designed to bridge that gap. The company is setting up sanitisation points at petrol stations and other high-traffic areas, allowing riders to quickly clean helmets between trips.
Public health experts warn that poorly maintained helmets can harbour bacteria and fungi, especially in hot and humid conditions, potentially exposing users to skin and scalp infections.