By Paul Karuga Njuguna- Executive Director, Road Safety Awareness Initiative
Kenya’s rapid increase in motorcycle usage has highlighted significant concerns regarding helmet safety and compliance. Despite the existence of Kenya Standard KS 77:2012, which specifies protective helmet requirements, the lack of a dedicated testing facility has hindered effective enforcement. This gap has allowed substandard helmets to flood the market, increasing the risk of severe injuries and fatalities among riders and passengers.In an effort to regulate the boda boda sector and enhance road safety, Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale proposed the Public Transport (Motorcycle Regulation) Bill 2023. However, the bill faced significant public backlash, leading to its reported withdrawal. Despite this, it remains unclear whether the withdrawal has been formalized, as it was published in the Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 158 on September 1, 2023.
The bill included critical regulations that, if implemented by 2026 as proposed, would significantly impact the boda boda industry. Key provisions included:
• Mandatory Rider Compliance – All riders would be required to cooperate with law enforcement officers, providing necessary registration, insurance, and other documents upon request (Article 33(3,4)).
• Valid Licensing – Riders would need to hold valid driving licenses issued by NTSA-approved training institutions (Article 16).
• Professional Training – Under Article 16(2), riders would be required to complete training in customer care, emergency response, motorcycle maintenance, and security awareness.
• Passenger and Load Restrictions – The bill sought to:
• Prohibit carrying more than one passenger at a time.
• Ban carrying passengers alongside luggage exceeding 50 kilograms.
• Allow children under 13 to ride between an adult passenger and the rider, provided safety conditions were met (Article 17(2)).
• Motorcycle Ambulances – The bill proposed regulations allowing motorcycle ambulances, provided they were equipped with medical supplies and operated by licensed medical professionals.
• Security Measures – Operators would be required to fit motorcycles with security devices, compliant with the Data Protection Act (Article 28).
• County Regulation – The establishment of county boda boda boards, led by governors, to oversee the sector.
• Fines and Penalties – Violations, such as riding on pedestrian walkways, could attract fines of up to Ksh 20,000.
If properly implemented, these regulations would greatly improve road safety, reduce crashes, and professionalize the boda boda industry.
On July 9, 2024, Transaid secured funding from the FIA Foundation, a global road safety philanthropy, to lead the third phase of the National Helmet Wearing Coalition in Kenya. This initiative, launched in 2021, aims to enhance safety for the country’s 1.4 million motorcycles, most of which operate as taxis (boda bodas).It was agreed that for18 months from the date, Transaid would collaborate with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) to establish one of the first helmet testing laboratories in East Africa. This critical facility would ensure that helmets in Kenya meet safety standards, significantly reducing head injuries and fatalities which is ongoing.
AA Kenya hasn’t been left behind and in collaboration with the FIA, FIA Foundation, NTSA, KEBS, Bodaplus, and the Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya, has also taken major steps to promote boda boda safety.During the 2025 World Rally Championship (WRC) flag-off ceremony at City Hall Way, officiated by President Dr. William Samoei Ruto, AA Kenya highlighted the inconsistent use of affordable and good quality crash helmets and reflective jackets among boda boda riders. These safety measures are crucial in reducing crash risks head injuries and improving visibility, although enforcement remains a challenge.
While motorcycles are an affordable and efficient mode of transport in Kenya, boda bodas have contributed to rising road safety concerns:
• In 2023, motorcycle users accounted for 35% of all road deaths in Kenya.
• A study in high-risk areas of Nairobi found that only 63% of riders and 15% of passengers wore helmets.
• Even among helmet users, many helmets were substandard, failing to meet established safety regulations
Several factors contribute to the poor compliance with helmet safety standards in Kenya:
- Economic Constraints – Many riders opt for cheaper, non-compliant helmets due to financial limitations.
- Lack of Awareness – Many riders and passengers do not understand the life-saving importance of helmet quality.
- Enforcement Gaps – The lack of a local testing facility makes it difficult for KEBS and other regulators to verify and enforce compliance.
To address these challenges, establishing a helmet testing laboratory is a critical step. A dedicated facility would:
• Ensure Rigorous Testing – Ensuring that all helmets meet KS 77:2012 standards.
• Enhance Enforcement – Providing regulatory bodies with the tools to remove substandard helmets from the market.
• Increase Public Confidence – Reassuring riders and passengers that the helmets they purchase offer genuine protection.
Recognizing this urgency, the National Road Safety Action Plan (2024–2028) prioritized the development of a helmet testing facility
Kenya can learn valuable lessons from Rwanda, which has successfully implemented helmet testing and enforcement. On December 11, 2024, Rwanda inaugurated Africa’s first helmet testing laboratory at the Rwanda Standards Board (RSB). This facility ensures that helmets comply with the RS 576:2024 Protective Helmets Specification.The initiative, part of the ‘Tuwurinde’ Project (“Let us protect heads”), is a collaboration between:
• The Government of Rwanda
• The FIA Foundation
• Healthy People Rwanda
• The UN Road Safety Fund (UNRSF)
Beyond testing, Rwanda’s lab supports local helmet manufacturing, enhancing safety and economic growth
For Kenya to establish a functional helmet testing laboratory and strengthen boda boda safety, a multi-stakeholder approach is required:
- Government Commitment – Funding and policy support for the laboratory.
- Public-Private Partnerships – Engaging international organizations for technical expertise and funding.
- Enforcement & Awareness Campaigns – Educating riders and Kenyan’s in general about helmet safety while ensuring strict enforcement.
By prioritizing helmet safety, investing in a testing facility, and enforcing KS 77:2012 compliance, Kenya can reduce motorcycle-related fatalities and enhance road safety for all citizens.