FROM THE ARUSHA NEWS CORRESPONDENT IN DAR ES SALAAM
The police has launched nationwide crackdown on violation of road traffic laws by motorcycle and tricycle taxi riders popularly known as “bodaboda” and “bajaj” respectively, against the backdrop of accidents that claimed 287 lives, roughly one person every day, last year.
Traffic Police Commander, William Mkonda, outlined the measures during a meeting with district and transport association leaders in Dar es Salaam, last week. He urged operators to observe safety rules to protect themselves, passengers and other road users and called on their associations to support compliance.
The operation, which began on September 29, 2026, targets failure to wear helmets, carrying excess passengers (mishkaki) and breaches of passenger seating capacity in tricycles, which instead of the allowed three, usually carry twice as many.
The enforcement drive follows an appeal by Home Affairs Minister, Mr Patrobas Katambi, for stronger road safety compliance and cooperation between transport leaders and police.
During a September 22, 2026 visit to Oyster Bay Police Station, Mr Katambi recognised motorcycle taxi work as a legitimate economic activity but urged leaders to report suspected offenders.
He said medical care and treatment for road crash victims cost the government between Sh 1.5 billion and Sh 2 billion a month, let alone the cost to familiea and the economy in general.
Official police figures published by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) recorded 322 motorcycle crashes in 2025, leaving 287 people dead and 311 injured. In 2024, reported motorcycle crashes killed 378 people and injured 395, highlighting the continuing human and material cost of the rather convenient but highly risky means of transport.
