By Daniel Kiprono
Across Kenya, a new wave of bodaboda riders are changing the narrative on safety. These are the proud graduates of the AA Kenya “Boda License Na Mia” initiative, and they represent a powerful shift toward safer, more professional motorcycle transport on our roads.
What started as an ambitious campaign to equip riders with life-saving skills and licenses has now matured into a national movement, with graduation ceremonies being held in towns and cities across the country. Thousands of riders are now stepping forward not just as transport operators, but also as trained ambassadors of road safety.
The “Boda Na Mia” programme was designed to address one of Kenya’s most persistent road safety challenges: the untrained and unlicensed bodaboda rider. For just KES 100, riders are enrolled into a fully-fledged training and licensing process delivered by AA Kenya an institution with over a century of motoring expertise.
The curriculum covers, traffic rules and motorcycle handling, defensive riding and risk awareness, first aid and emergency response and customer care and passenger safety. After weeks of structured instruction, riders are graduating not just with new skills, but with a renewed sense of purpose and professionalism.
The graduation ceremonies have become major community events attended by county officials, traffic police, NTSA representatives, and bodaboda association leaders many of whom express their commitment to supporting these trained riders in their day-to-day operations.
“Before this, I didn’t even know the basic rules,” says Samuel, a new graduate from Ruaraka. “Now I have a license, I wear my helmet every day, and I feel confident on the road.”
At every graduation, AA Kenya provides each rider with an FIA certified helmet and a high-visibility reflector jacket; essential gear for visibility and protection. These aren’t giveaways; they’re investments in safety.
Data from NTSA shows that a significant percentage of motorcycle-related fatalities could be prevented with proper protective gear. By ensuring that every graduate leaves equipped, AA Kenya is taking safety from theory to action.
As more counties embrace the programme and graduation numbers grow, the broader impact becomes clear, trained riders mean fewer crashes. Licensed operators mean better regulation and recognized professionals mean more trust from passengers.
This is a win for the riders, for every pedestrian, every motorist, and every family that uses bodabodas for daily transport.
The graduation of Boda Na Mia riders shows that with the right support, informal sectors can be transformed into professional forces for good.
In a country where motorcycles are both a livelihood and a lifeline, AA Kenya’s initiative proves that when we invest in people, we also invest in safer roads for everyone. And for these graduates, the journey is only just beginning this time, legally, safely, and with pride.
