Makau Mutua Recommends Uniform Minibuses, Public Buses, and a Ban on Boda Bodas.
President William Ruto’s Senior Advisor on Constitutional Affairs, Professor Makau Mutua, has stirred fresh debate by proposing sweeping reforms that could drastically change how public transport operates in Kenya’s cities and towns.
In a strongly worded post on his X account, Prof. Mutua called for the return of organized and dependable public transportation. He recommended bringing back well-maintained, timely, and clean buses like the now-defunct Kenya Bus Service (KBS) that once served Nairobi and other major towns.
“Let’s restore order and sanity to our roads by reintroducing reliable, clean, and on-time buses similar to KBS,” he posted.
Alongside this, Mutua suggested that the government should allow only a limited number of matatus to operate, and those allowed must follow strict uniformity rules.
Specifically, he proposed that all matatus should be of the same make and model, and painted one standard colour, doing away with the current trend of flamboyant graffiti, flashing lights, and wild designs.
“Only issue licenses to a small number of matatus — they must all be identical in model and colour. No strange paint jobs or crazy lighting. And yes, ban boda bodas in all major cities. No pain, no gain,” he added.
If implemented, this proposal would bring dramatic changes to the matatu sector, which is currently known for its lack of regulation, visual chaos, and noise.
Today’s matatus often feature graffiti-style art, loud music systems, LED lighting, and customized interiors to attract customers, especially young people. However, this has also led to complaints of unruly behavior, traffic indiscipline, and increased congestion.
Critics argue that the sheer number of matatus on the roads contributes heavily to traffic jams in Nairobi and other cities.
Mutua believes that by limiting the number of operators and enforcing visual and mechanical uniformity, the government can reduce congestion, improve safety, and make the public transport experience more orderly and predictable.
Mutua’s reform agenda doesn’t stop with matatus. He has once again pushed for the controversial ban on boda bodas (motorcycle taxis) in major urban areas — an idea he had floated earlier that attracted strong opposition, particularly from riders and their unions.
His latest proposal comes at an interesting time — just days after George Ruto, the president’s son, unveiled a new flashy and customized matatu named ‘Mood’, which is the exact opposite of what Mutua envisions.
‘Mood’ is fitted with booming sound systems, bold artwork, custom lighting, and modern tech features — characteristics Mutua is firmly against.
While his suggestions are aimed at reforming public transport to make it safer, cleaner, and more efficient, they have sparked mixed reactions among Kenyans.
Some people support the call for structure and discipline on the roads, while others argue that such strict measures may hurt livelihoods, especially for the thousands who depend on matatus and boda bodas to earn a living.
As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether the government will seriously consider Mutua’s ideas, or if they’ll be dismissed as too radical for the realities of Kenya’s transport sector. Either way, his proposals have opened up an important conversation about the future of urban mobility in the country.
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