Commercial motorcycles, widely referred to as boda bodas, will soon be required to sport designated colors and undergo regular inspections as part of a new initiative aimed at regulating the industry.

Additionally, boda bodas must display their registration number plates on both the front and back, akin to standard motor vehicles.

These changes are part of a series of amendments proposed by the Senate Roads and Transportation Committee to the Public Transportation (Motorcycle Regulations) Bill, 2023.

Spearheaded by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale, the Bill aims to bring order to the sector and address the issue of unruly riders.

“The main goal of this Bill is to establish a legal framework for the regulation of motorcycle (boda boda) and three-wheeler (tuk-tuk) operations in Kenya, introducing new guidelines for their registration, operation, and safety at the county level,” the Bill outlines.

According to the committee’s report, lawmakers are urging the National Transport and Safety Authority and the Ministry of Transport to amend the Traffic (Registration Plates) Rules to mandate that motorcycles also display number plates at the front.

Owners of older motorcycles will have a three-year grace period to comply, while all new motorcycles must have front number plates from the outset.

The committee noted that motorcycles used for public transport should be inspected and registered as Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) within the county.

“The committee recommends an amendment to ensure that motorcycles utilized for public transport are inspected and registered as PSVs,” stated the report presented by chairman Karungo Thang’wa.

Moreover, the committee proposes that owners of commercially used motorcycles must have their bikes branded with a color scheme designated by the county executive committee member for transport.

This measure, the panel believes, will help law enforcement—specifically police officers—quickly differentiate between PSV motorcycles, which are governed by this legislative framework, and private motorcycles that are not.

The committee is seeking to strengthen the Bill by adding a new clause that would enable counties to create their own specific legislation.

Recent statistics from the NTSA reveal that boda bodas have been responsible for the highest number of road fatalities.

During the last quarter of the year—specifically from October to December—passengers, pedestrians, and motorcycle riders, along with their passengers, suffered the most from road accidents, resulting in nearly 800 fatalities, compared to 450 among drivers and riders.

In total, there are approximately 2.5 million registered boda bodas in the country, with 1.8 million actively in use.

Currently under consideration in the Senate, the Bill suggests implementing stringent regulations for boda operators, which include mandatory training for riders and the possibility of license revocation for those involved in criminal activities.

Additionally, the proposed legislation mandates that riders must belong to a registered cooperative society, aiming to enhance sector regulation and improve safety measures.

The Bill states, “No individual shall operate a motorcycle without having successfully completed a training course sanctioned by the board.”

It also stipulates that anyone who owns or operates a motorcycle for commercial purposes must register with a Savings and Cooperative Society recognized under the Cooperative Societies Act.

The Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS) has launched its application portal for a duration of 21 days, enabling candidates from the 2024 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) to seek placement at their preferred Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.

In a groundbreaking move, the Placement Service will implement a phased application approach, starting with KMTC and TVET colleges before moving on to universities and Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs).

The initial phase of the application process will conclude on February 14, 2025.

“Universities and Teacher Training Colleges (TTCs) typically have their admissions later in the year, while KMTC and TVETs have intakes in January, March, and May. This phased approach is essential to facilitate a smooth transition for students into colleges,” explained KUCCPS CEO Dr. Agnes Mercy Wahome.

Form Four graduates who completed their KCSE exams between 2000 and 2024 will also have the chance to apply for KMTC and TVET courses, utilizing their improved grades for eligibility in the September intake.

Dr. Wahome highlighted that over 260 TVET institutions, including university TVET institutes, national polytechnics, and other TVET entities under the Ministry of Education, will be open for applications.

“We encourage applicants to choose TVET institutions and KMTC campuses close to their homes, as this will reduce their living expenses,” she added.

Wahome urged students to pursue these courses to acquire the essential skills required in today’s job market.

KUCCPS officials will also provide assistance through a nationwide initiative aimed at guiding students and supporting applicants at designated colleges across all 47 counties, including Huduma Centres.

Comprehensive application guidelines, along with information on institutions, available programs, and their requirements, can be found on the KUCCPS portal at students.kuccps.net.

A family in Yatta Sub-county is mourning after the bodies of two relatives were found in Kahawa West, Nairobi.

Peter Kimeu Lavu, a resident of Kyumbuni village, shared how he learned about the deaths of his son Boniface Kyengo (51) and grandson Peter Ngila (26) on Friday.

The two had been missing since the previous Friday, and their bodies were later discovered at City Mortuary.

The family is demanding a thorough investigation into the suspicious circumstances surrounding their deaths.

“We were devastated to hear that their bodies were at City Mortuary, and we seek justice,” Lavu stated.

Local MP Robert Ngui urged for quick investigations into the deaths and emphasized the need for justice.

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have apprehended a suspect linked to a scam that caused a Nigerian businessman to lose 150 million Naira (around Ksh.12.5 million).

Stephen Mugambi Colbert and his partners allegedly pretended to be legitimate businesspeople offering private jet services to transfer investment funds from Kenya to Nigeria.

The DCI reported that Mugambi and his accomplices approached the unsuspecting victim earlier this month with a fake business proposal.

They claimed they could securely transfer investment funds using a private jet, convincing the businessman to send the large sum.

After the payment was made, Mugambi and his team cut off all communication, leaving the victim in a difficult situation.

“After realizing he had been scammed, the foreign national contacted the DCI for assistance, prompting a search for the fraudsters that led to Mugambi’s arrest,” the agency stated.

“While his accomplices narrowly escaped capture, it is only a matter of time before they are found and held accountable.”

The DCI also warned the public to be cautious when engaging in business transactions, especially those involving significant amounts of money.

They noted a rising trend where scammers are using cryptocurrency to avoid detection and bypass traditional financial systems.

The US State Department has stopped all current foreign assistance and put new aid on hold, as stated in an internal memo sent to officials and US embassies worldwide.

This leaked memo comes after President Trump’s executive order on Monday, which calls for a 90-day pause in foreign development aid while reviewing its effectiveness and alignment with his foreign policy.

In 2023, the United States remains the largest international aid donor, spending $68 billion according to government data.

The State Department’s notice impacts various types of aid, including development and military assistance.

Exceptions are made only for emergency food aid and military funding for Israel and Egypt. The BBC has confirmed the details of the leaked memo.

The memo instructs that “no new funds shall be obligated for new awards or extensions of existing awards until each proposed new award or extension has been reviewed and approved.”

It also states that US officials “shall immediately issue stop-work orders, consistent with the terms of the relevant award, until the secretary determines otherwise after the review.”

Additionally, a comprehensive review of all foreign assistance is to be completed within 85 days to ensure compliance with President Trump’s foreign policy objectives.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has previously emphasized that US spending abroad should only occur if it makes America “stronger,” “safer,” or “more prosperous.”

A former senior State Department official told the BBC that this notice could have a “potentially huge” effect on US-funded foreign aid programs.

“For instance, humanitarian de-mining programs around the world could suddenly be ordered to stop work. That’s a significant issue,” said Josh Paul, who managed Congressional relations on weapons transfers at the State Department until late 2023.

Dave Harden, a former USAID mission director in the Middle East, told the BBC that the recent decision is “very significant.” He explained that it could lead to an immediate halt of US-funded humanitarian and development programs worldwide while a review takes place.

He noted that this could impact essential projects related to water, sanitation, and shelter.

“While employees of the implementing partner or NGO can still be paid, actual assistance should be stopped,” Mr. Harden stated.

He shared his experience with assistance suspensions during his time as the West Bank and Gaza mission director, emphasizing that this situation is global, not just limited to one area.

“This not only pauses assistance but also issues a ‘stop work’ order on existing contracts that are already funded and in progress. It’s very extensive,” he added.

The AFP news agency mentioned that the funding freeze might also impact Ukraine, which received billions in military aid during Joe Biden’s presidency.

Rubio’s memo, which supports the freeze, indicated that the new administration cannot determine if current foreign aid commitments are effective, not duplicated, and align with President Trump’s foreign policy.

Rubio has provided a waiver for emergency food assistance, as stated in the memo.

This development comes as humanitarian aid increases in the Gaza Strip following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, alongside other hunger crises globally, including in Sudan.

The memo also noted that Rubio has approved waivers for “foreign military financing for Israel and Egypt and administrative costs, including salaries, needed to manage foreign military financing.”

The State Department has been contacted for a response.

A farm worker found 17 bullets while clearing a farm in the Ngoriga area of Njoro, Nakuru County.

The worker discovered a partially buried plastic container while clearing bushes and found it contained 17 live rounds.

Police were notified and collected the ammunition for further investigation.

The landowner was not present at the time of the discovery, and authorities are looking into the matter.

In another incident at Thika, Kiambu County, police seized 20 live rounds during a raid on a home in the Umoja area on Friday.

Officers acted on a tip-off regarding illegal weapons at the residence, leading to the operation.

In addition to the ammunition, police found a kilogram of bhang, 20 liters of ethanol, and 58 military packs.

Two suspects were arrested in connection with the findings, and investigations into their motives are ongoing.

Three individuals were taken into custody on Friday while attempting to sell a rifle to an unaware buyer in the Songot area of Lokichoggio, Turkana County.

The trio approached a buyer, offering an AK47 rifle with an empty magazine when undercover officers intervened.

Authorities reported that the suspects include a 19-year-old and two others who are both 20 years old.

At the time of recovery, the weapon lacked a serial number, according to police. The suspects are being held at a local police station as investigations continue into the weapon’s origin and their intentions.

Police aim to determine if these individuals have been involved in similar activities before. Illegal firearms in the area have been linked to rising banditry incidents.

Recent operations have reportedly reduced such attacks, according to statistics. This situation has contributed to slower development and increased fatalities overall. The government has intensified efforts to combat this issue.