How to Start a Boda Boda Business in Nairobi, Kenya: Cost, Profit & Requirements

Thinking of starting to earn through the boda boda business? This guide will help you from the beginning of your journey until you succeed.

I have seen many graduates venture into this business after several failed attempts to look for jobs in various offices in Kenya. They then decide to try the transport industry to at least have some money, because a man without anything in this world will be avoided even by his own family.

The fact remains that not everyone can secure a job in the government. There are even first-class degree holders who decided to start small businesses, and through consistency and hard work, they have now achieved a lot in life.

Starting a boda boda business requires getting legal documents from the government and choosing the stage where you need to operate. You can operate as an owner-rider or hire a rider who will remit a daily fee.

Spiro Motorcycles: Image Courtesy, motorcyclesdata.

Steps to Follow to Start a Boda Boda Business

1. Get the Right Paperwork

To use Kenyan roads, you must comply with the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), which ensures that all motorists and riders adhere to road safety.

You need to have the following documents:

A valid Class A motorcycle license
A Certificate of Good Conduct, which is mandatory for registration
Comprehensive insurance is recommended to cover theft or fire
A Smart Rider Card from the nearest Huduma Centre

2. Acquire a Motorcycle

Purchasing a brand-new motorcycle ranges from Ksh 90,000 to Ksh 150,000. Popular brands include Bajaj Boxer 150, TVS, and Honda. Their shops are located in various towns in Kenya, and most allow a down payment with a deposit and installment payments until you complete the balance.

There is also a growing number of companies selling electric motorbikes. Most companies operate on a battery-swapping model, where you buy the bike and swap depleted batteries for charged ones at designated stations.

They include:

MOGO Boda Boda Branches: One-stop shops in Nairobi and Mombasa that stock multiple popular brands, including Ampersand, Spiro, and Roam.
Roam Showroom: Located directly opposite the Safari Park Hotel along Thika Superhighway, Nairobi.
Spiro “Twende EV” Dealer: Located in Kasarani, Nairobi, opposite Kasarani Police Station.

3. Buy Riding Gear

These include:

Helmets: Legally required for both the rider and passenger
Guards: Specialized protection for joints, often sold as knee guards and elbow guards
Riding Boots: Sturdy, reinforced footwear designed for motorcycle use
Gloves: Protective handwear, often referred to as riding gloves or armoured gloves

Most electric bikes in Kenya are sold through “Rent-to-Own” or installment plans. Major financiers include:

M-KOPA, the largest EV financer in Kenya, is partnering with brands like Roam
Watu Credit, which provides asset financing with deposits starting around Ksh 35,000
MOGO, offering financing for various brands with down payments as low as Ksh 20,000 to Ksh 30,000

How to Start Bolt or Uber for Motorbikes in Nairobi

To start with Bolt or Uber as a motorbike rider in Nairobi, you can choose between ride-hailing (carrying passengers) or delivery (carrying food or parcels via Uber Eats or Bolt Food). Each option has specific age and document requirements.

Ride-Hailing (Bolt Boda / UberBODA)

You transport passengers around the city. This typically requires higher age limits (for example, 21+ for Bolt and 24+ for Uber) and a PSV-endorsed license.

Delivery (Bolt Food / Uber Eats)

You deliver food or small packages. The age requirement is lower (usually 18+), and you do not necessarily need a PSV license, just a standard Class A motorcycle license.

Registration Steps

Sign Up Online: Download the Bolt Driver or Uber Driver app and create an account using your phone number and email.

Upload Documents: You will be prompted to take clear photos of your ID, driving license, logbook (or sales agreement), and Certificate of Good Conduct.

Background Check: Both platforms require a digital background check. For Bolt, this is often done via Peleza and costs roughly KSh 250.

Onboarding/Training: You may be required to attend a short virtual or physical training session to learn how to use the app and handle customer safety.

Activation: Once your documents are verified (usually 24–48 hours), your account will be activated, and you can go online to start receiving requests.

Things You Should Know

Bolt Boda drivers can earn up to approximately Ksh 16,000 per week, depending on hours worked.

Even if you use apps, the Nairobi government still requires you to be registered with a local stage SACCO for legal operation on the streets.

You also need to be cautious when riding in some areas in Nairobi, especially at night, as there have been reported cases of theft. It is also advisable to choose a good apartment with proper security.

I have a close friend who graduated with a health-related degree from Moi University in Eldoret. He was unable to get a job and started riding a boda boda in Eldoret.

Later, through an advertisement, he applied to become a lecturer at KIPS Technical College in Nairobi CBD. However, the institution started delaying his monthly salary. Because of this, he decided to return to the boda boda business, which he says now gives him a good income. On a good day, he can earn up to KSh 5,000.

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