KIGALI'S NEW MAYOR BANS MOTORCYCLE TAXIS

UNCLAS KIGALI 000836

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KDEM PHUM RW
SUBJECT: KIGALI'S NEW MAYOR BANS MOTORCYCLE TAXIS



1. (U) Kigali city residents awoke on Monday, August 21 to
an odd sight in central areas of the city: the complete
absence of motorcycle taxis plying their trade on busy
thoroughfares. The Kigali City Council, led by its new
Mayor, Aisa Kirabo Kacyira, banned commercial motorcycles
(termed "bodaboda") from the central core of the city on
public safety and security grounds. The "bodaboda"
operators, previously accustomed to nosing around all corners
of the capital city, found themselves restricted to outlying
suburbs.


2. (U) The devil-may-care attitude of many of the operators
made their presence a constant nuisance on city streets, as
they blithely ignored traffic regulations in zipping their
customers to their destinations. However, they also provided
the cheapest mode of transportation for many ordinary
residents of their city. Their sudden absence from the
streets, enforced by the National Police, created a crisis in
low-cost transportation, as city buses and private mini-vans
could not fill the void. Additionally, many motorcycle
owner/operators reportedly risk losing their principal asset,
as they suddenly have no income stream to make payments on
their micro-credit-financed motorcycles. Some of these
operators are demobilized soldiers, now without gainful
employment.


3. (U) While municipal spokesmen sought to portray the ban as
a reasoned response to traffic accidents and petty crime
(with motorcycle purse-snatchings a common occurrence),city
residents complied grudgingly. Local radio call-in shows
recorded much grumbling and tales of woe, as poorer residents
found themselves paying more for transport, or going without.
Embassy staff reported household staff and security guards
reporting late for work, as the workers either cued for
scarce transport, or walked long distances. Many of the
motorcycle operators are reportedly demobilized soldiers, who
may have their own complaints as their new trade


4. (SBU) The Mayor in an August 29 meeting with emboff
claimed extensive prior consultations with the motorcycle
operator's union, as well as the ministries of
Infrastructure, Internal Security, and Local Government. She
stood by the decision, saying the city had recorded
measurable and very heartening drops in both traffic
accidents and petty crime. Acknowledging the strain the ban
put on poorer residents, she said the city council hoped to
reintroduce motorcycle taxis in ever-expanding areas of the
city. She expected firm commitments from the commercial
motorcyclists, she said, and proper plans in place for a more
orderly operation of two-wheel taxis. Then they could begin
to return to some of their usual city center routes.


5. (SBU) Comment. Despite the claims to extensive
consultations, the motorcycle ban appeared to be put in place
by the city with minimal prior announcement. Like earlier
decisions to ban itinerant fruit marketers and close the
central market, the city government appeared to put
orderliness above the needs of poorer residents. While crime
and traffic are real concerns, this is a basically a safe and
peaceful city. The ban on motorcycles makes life harder for
those who can least afford to make alternate plans. End
Comment.


ARIETTI