Boda Boda Operators will now be required to have third-party insurance to cover their passengers and pedestrians in the event of an accident according to a new proposal by the Insurance Regulatory Authority (IRA).

The regulator said the Insurance (Motor Vehicle Third Party Risks, Certificate of Insurance) regulations will be amended to require all passenger-carrying Boda Bodas and tuk-tuks to follow the new rules.

According to the IRA Chief Executive, Godfrey Kiptum, the directive has been occasioned by the high rate of accidents occasioned by boda bodas leaving the injured fare-paying passengers with no recourse or access to medical services.

“There is no legal requirement for the operators to take up insurance policies as boda bodas and tuktuks are not indicated in the category of motor vehicles used by fare-paying passengers,” said Godfrey Kiptum, the IRA chief executive.

The proposal to have boda boda and tuk-tuk operators compelled to have third party insurance overs for their passengers was first made by Treasury in 2019 however Parliament rejected it citing lack of public participation in the changes.

Boda Boda use in Kenya has become popular over the years, with the number of accidents increasing just as much.

According to statistics by the National Transport Authority (NTSA), motorcycles are now killing more people than vehicles. 1,421 riders and pillion passengers died in 2019 compared to 1,049 drivers and passengers who lost their lives from motor vehicle-related deaths.