The changing urban mobility and health risks in Africa: examining motorcycle taxi transportation in Kenya

Motorcycle taxis (MTCs) have become the primary mode of transportation in many African countries. However, implementation gaps and weak enforcement raise concerns about compliance. This paper examines how MTC noncompliance contributes to public health challenges, focusing on rider adherence to traffic laws. It draws on primary data collected from 18th August to 13th September 2025, from policymakers, motocycle users and health officers across seven counties in Kenya. Data were collected through random selection and referral sampling of resourceful individuals through in-person interviews with 17 participants and phone and online interviews with five participants. The findings show that despite robust legislation, enforcement remains limited, leading to noncompliance, especially among riders who often operate unregistered MTCs with illegal plates. This, alongside a lack of governance structure in the sector, exacerbates the risk of a public health crisis. Countering such challenges will involve moving beyond traditional law enforcement toward more innovative governance frameworks through a multi-stakeholder approach, creating specialized motorbike traffic units within various enforcement agencies, fostering collaboration between health institutions and law enforcement, raising awareness of safety issues, and adopting innovative policing tools such as smart cameras. The paper also suggest building dedicated motorcycle lanes and addressing cultural issues that require behavioral change, particularly among riders.