Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko has taken President Uhuru Kenyatta's government to court, over planned taxation of bodaboda operators which targets passengers through an insurance scheme.
Over the weekend, Sonko and a number of leaders including; Moses Kuria, Simon Mbugua, Reuben Ndolo among others, accused Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich of failing to consult stakeholders before introducing the taxation.
Through lawyer Evans Ondieki, Sonko on Monday asked the court to stop the implementation of 2019/20 budget, until the matter is heard and determined.
“All bodaboda and tuk-tuk operators are left in a position where they have to pay excessive and obstructive fees without being given opportunity to debate the proposal. This is a dangerous move which will drive them out of business and send them back into unemployment,” said Ondieki as quoted by Standard.
“The CS should have consulted the Attorney General before taking such drastic measures that if not stopped can bring down a big industry that employs thousands of youths,” he added.
In his affidavit, Sonko claimed that the new taxation measures could make the city insecure, as many operators may turn into crimes since they cannot afford new charges.
“We have over 1.2 million boda boda and over 184,000 tuk-tuk operators who are now at risk of closing business because they cannot afford the insurance,” Sonko said.
Rotich had proposed that all bodaboda operators remit Sh3,500 for comprehensive insurance annually to cover their customers due to accidents.