The County Government of Homa Bay has slapped the county's bodaboda operators with a number of demands they will have to fulfil to continue operating in the county.
According to the county's transport ministry, each rider must have a driver's licence, a reflector jacket and boots, failure to which they will be disqualified from the roads.
The new regulations are set to take full effect on May 1, as the county leadership seeks to curb cases of road carnage caused by the public service motorbikes.
However, according to Homa Bay County Bodaboda Chairman Ken Dede, the deadline will be impossible to beat for many riders, majority of whom lack licences.
Dede said that only 30 per cent of the riders have complied with the regulations, with most yet to apply for their licences, which he says might see a number of them arrested.
“Most of the riders went to backstreet training schools, which do not help them get licences. They risk being arrested when the regulations take effect,” he told the Nation on Friday.
He added that most of them see no need to seek certified riding lessons, as they operate their bikes on behalf of others, in a hiring arrangement.
“Most riders do not own the motorcycles they operate. They do not have the money to pay for lessons in proper training schools,” added the Chairman.
It is not clear if the county will extend the deadline again, after extending it for a year in 2018.