Ksh30K Fines & New Permit Fees for Nairobi Bodas and Taxis in Proposed Regulations

The Nairobi County Government has proposed new regulations aimed at streamlining the taxi and boda boda industries across the county.

As detailed in the Nairobi City County (Taxi Cab Permit) Regulations of 2025, made public earlier this month, all persons in the taxi business will be required to register with a Sacco or be attached to a taxi-hailing company such as Uber and Bolt.

Additionally, anyone in the taxi business will be required to apply for a permit from the county government.

The proposed application fee is Ksh1,000, while the operators of fuel-powered vehicles will be required to pay a fee of Ksh8,000, as their counterparts operating electric vehicles pay Ksh4,000.

"A taxicab permit may be issued for a period of one year, renewable annually," read the regulations in part, adding, “A taxicab permit issued to a taxi cab may not be transferred to any other vehicle."

Notably, the county government is also seeking to limit the number of taxis that can operate in the CBD.

"No taxicab shall park or wait on a footway or junction in such a manner that it causes an obstruction to pedestrians or park on or within a carriageway that is regulated for parking except where designated for taxicab picking and dropping," the county government proposed.

"A person who contravenes any provision of these Regulations commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding twenty thousand shillings for a first offence and a fine not exceeding thirty thousand shillings for every subsequent offence or a prison term not exceeding 6 months or both."

‍Boba Boda

Equally, any person seeking to operate a boda boda for public transportation or courier services will have to register with a sacco or company.

Boda riders will also be required to obtain permits from the county government, while the county will also designate the areas for picking up and dropping off passengers.

"The application of a zone permit is to be done only by the bodaboda Transport Sacco/Company. A zone permit may be issued to any applicant who has been licensed by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA)," read the regulations in part.

Under the proposed laws, the county will impose hefty penalties for those who park in undesignated locations or obstruct pathways.

"A person who contravenes any provision of these Regulations commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding twenty thousand shillings for a first offence and a fine not exceeding thirty thousand shillings for every subsequent offence, or a prison term not exceeding 6 months or both," the county added.