The Bodaboda Safety Association of Kenya (BAK) has issued a strong statement distancing its members from the planned June 25 protests, vowing not to be used as pawns in what they described as “political games.”
In a statement dated June 20 and signed by the Nairobi branch of the association, the riders declared their commitment to peace and condemned the planned disruptions, saying they ride for “hustle, not chaos.”
“We are not part of that destruction. We are not tools for political games. We are hustlers and we ride for peace, dignity, and survival,” the statement read.
The group raised concerns over the impact of such protests on their livelihoods, stating that even one day of riots translates to hunger for their families. They highlighted how roadblocks, violence, and clashes between police and protesters often result in damage to their bikes and loss of income.
“Every day, thousands of us leave our homes before sunrise to feed our children, pay our loans, and move this city. When roads are blocked, we don’t earn. When shops close, our customers disappear. When police clash with rioters, it’s our bikes that get burned and our people that get caught in the crossfire,” they added.
While affirming their support for constitutional freedoms, including the right to assemble and protest under Article 37, the bodaboda riders insisted that demonstrations must remain peaceful and unarmed.
“No stone, no fire, no looting. Because once violence starts, the Constitution walks away. And so do we,” they said.
The riders urged the government to protect their routes, their bikes, and their lives, stressing that they are not asking for special treatment, just fairness and safety.
To those planning to use their name to stage violent disruptions, the association had a sharp rebuke: “You don’t speak for us. You don’t care about our pain. Don’t hide your chaos behind our helmets.”
In their concluding remarks, the group reaffirmed their role in society, from supporting families and aiding in emergencies to fueling the local economy.
“Let Nairobi move. Let Kenyans work. Let the hustle continue,” the statement closed.
