President William Ruto has ordered the immediate release of over 9,000 boda bodas impounded at police stations without criminal charges. This directive aims to support the country's vital boda boda sector, with the release to be completed within seven days.

• President Ruto met with boda boda officials at State House, Nairobi, on Thursday, August 7, to issue the directive.
• The Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja are tasked with ensuring the motorcycles' release.
• The government plans to enact new legislation promoting self-regulation within the boda boda sector, advocating for riders to govern themselves through associations or saccos.
• This announcement follows Parliament's decision to proceed with the Public Transport Motorcycle Regulation Bill, 2025, which includes provisions for mandatory **SACCO** membership and significant fines, such as Ksh20,000 for riding on pedestrian walkways.

Traffic was disrupted on Jogoo Road on Thursday, August 7, after boda boda operators set a Citi Hoppa bus ablaze. This retaliatory act occurred after the bus allegedly struck and fatally injured a boda boda operator, provoking the riders to take matters into their own hands.

• A Citi Hoppa bus was torched by boda boda operators after it allegedly caused a fatal accident involving one of their own on Jogoo Road.
• The incident led to passengers evacuating the bus, which was later described as burnt beyond repair, with witnesses criticizing a delayed response from authorities and the fire department.
• This was the second bus fire in hours, following a Super Metro bus catching fire off Naivasha Road, and occurred on a day already anticipating unusual traffic due to CHAN games in Nairobi.

President William Ruto has rejected a proposed ban on boda bodas in major Kenyan cities and towns, defending the sector's economic contribution and crediting them for his 2022 election victory. His stance directly counters Senior Advisor on Constitutional Affairs Makau Mutua's call to remove them due to perceived chaos and aesthetic damage.

• President Ruto met with national leaders of boda bodas at State House, Nairobi, on Thursday, August 7.
• The proposal to ban boda bodas was made by Senior Advisor Makau Mutua on Thursday, July 17.
• The boda boda sector is described as a lifeline for over 2 million Kenyan families.