Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja is at the centre of a brewing controversy following accusations from the boda boda community that his administration hired thugs posing as motorbike riders to sabotage their reputation during recent protests in the capital.
The allegations, amplified by viral videos and posts, have sparked outrage among riders and residents, who claim the move was orchestrated to justify a crackdown on the sector amid rising tensions in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD).
The accusations surfaced after Tuesday’s protests, where demonstrators rallied against alleged police brutality following the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in custody.
Videos circulating online show masked individuals on motorbikes attacking protesters, with some appearing to operate alongside police vehicles.
Boda boda riders, through spokespersons like Francis Maina of the Soweto Boda Boda Association, condemned the incidents, alleging that Sakaja’s administration hired “goons” to impersonate riders and commit crimes to discredit their community.
“This is a deliberate plot to paint us as criminals,” Maina told local media, pointing to the organised nature of the attacks.
Riders claim the tactic aligns with Sakaja’s history of strained relations with the sector, citing past crackdowns and regulatory measures like designated pick-up points introduced in October 2024 to curb chaos in the CBD.
In a featured video, riders accused Sakaja of orchestrating the scheme; one member claimed, “These are not our people; they’re hired to ruin our name. They organised chaos,” alleging police complicity.
Sakaja’s office issued a statement denying any involvement in hiring thugs, calling the claims “baseless and malicious”.
The governor has previously faced criticism over security issues, including deploying plainclothes inspectorate recruits accused of harassing traders and riders in March 2025, which fuelled distrust.
In 2022, Sakaja ordered the release of impounded motorbikes and dropped cases against riders, a move seen as an olive branch, but tensions have since resurfaced.
The boda boda sector, employing over 50,000 riders in Nairobi, has long grappled with a negative reputation tied to crime and lawlessness, though initiatives like ChildFund Kenya’s training programmes have sought to reframe riders as community protectors.
Critics argue the allegations against Sakaja exploit these stereotypes to justify stricter regulations. Human rights groups urged independent investigations, with Amnesty International Kenya calling for transparency to “restore trust”.
— The Nairobi Times (@TheNairobiTimez) June 18, 2025
