Boda Boda Riders Distance Themselves From June 25 Protests, Call for Calm in Nairobi

The Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya has distanced itself from the upcoming protest on June 25, urging residents who will participate to conduct a peaceable demonstration.

In an announcement issued on Friday, June 20, the affiliation acknowledged that they aren’t instruments for any political video games.

The affiliation additional clarified that boda boda riders usually are not a part of any destruction brought about through the protest.

“We have seen the threats of chaos. We’ve heard the requires protests and riots on twenty fifth June 2025. But we are saying this clearly: We usually are not a part of that destruction. We usually are not instruments for political video games. We are hustlers, and we experience for peace, dignity, and survival,” the assertion reads.

The riders stated that their motorbikes are sometimes broken and their members are often caught up in clashes when protests flip violent, calling on the federal government to guard them.

“We urge the Government: defend our roads, defend our bikes, defend our lives. We usually are not searching for favours, we’re asking for equity,” the affiliation stated.

They, nonetheless, requested for a peaceable demonstration, stating that any disruption attributable to the protests would have an effect on their earnings.

They added that they help the proper to protest, however solely whether it is peaceable and lawful, with no stones, no fireplace, no looting. 

“We respect the Constitution. We consider in Article 37 – the proper to assemble and protest. But solely whether it is peaceful and unarmed. No stone, no fireplace, no looting. Because as soon as violence begins, the Constitution walks away. And so will we,” a part of the assertion reads.

Additionally, the affiliation issued a warning to anybody planning to disrupt any boda boda operations through the demonstration.

“And to these planning to disrupt our routes and danger our security: you do not communicate for us. You do not care about our ache. Don’t disguise your chaos behind our helmets.”

“Boda boda riders have constructed a reputation on this nation. We assist emergency circumstances, help households, and transfer the economic system. We won’t be diminished to pawns in another person’s conflict,” the assertion added.

The riders’ discover got here after two bikes had been burnt and a rider was badly overwhelmed by offended protesters, who accused them of disrupting the protest on June 17.