The Kenya Tuk Tuk transport sector has strongly condemned recent remarks by Professor Makau Mutua describing tuk tuks as “pathetic contraptions,” saying the comments “undermine the dignity and livelihoods” of hundreds of thousands of Kenyans who depend on the industry.

In a statement issued on Monday by the National Chairman of the Tuk Tuk Operators Network (TTON), Vincent M. Were, operators rejected the comments as “unfortunate, inaccurate, demeaning and dismissive” of an industry that has become a key contributor to Kenya’s economy.

“We are deeply disappointed by remarks that reduce a vital transport sector to ridicule,” Were said.

“Tuk tuks are not pathetic contraptions; they are legitimate, regulated and essential means of transport for millions of Kenyans.”

According to the statement, Kenya has approximately 250,000 registered tuk tuks supporting more than 750,000 licensed drivers through shift-based operations.

The sector is also said to sustain over one million livelihoods when mechanics, financiers, insurers, spare parts dealers, fuel stations and other businesses linked to the industry are taken into account.

The operators noted that tuk tuks have expanded to more than 30 counties and facilitate an estimated six million passenger trips daily, transporting commuters to workplaces, schools, hospitals, markets and transport terminals.

They further estimated that the sector generates at least KSh54 billion annually through transport services while contributing significantly to government revenue through taxes, licensing fees, insurance, fuel levies and county permits.

Beyond passenger transport, the industry said it supports thousands of jobs in vehicle assembly, financing, insurance, garages, spare parts businesses, advertising, tourism and hospitality. It also highlighted its potential to drive Kenya’s transition to electric mobility through local assembly, battery-swapping technology and green jobs.

“We are not just moving people; we are moving the economy,” Were said. “Every tuk tuk on the road supports a chain of livelihoods, from the driver to the mechanic, from the insurer to the spare parts dealer.”

The operators maintained that tuk tuks operate legally under Kenyan law, emphasizing that any restrictions on their operations should be guided by legislation, engineering standards and stakeholder consultation rather than public criticism.

“The law must guide transport policy, not insults,” Were said. “If there are concerns about safety, regulation or urban planning, we are ready to engage constructively. But dismissing the sector in public is unfair to the thousands of families who depend on it.”

The statement also highlighted the sector’s collaboration with the National Government, county governments, the National Police Service and other security agencies in promoting road safety, community policing and peaceful coexistence.

The association called on Professor Mutua to publicly withdraw his remarks and issue an unconditional apology within seven days, arguing that his comments had offended hundreds of thousands of families whose livelihoods depend on the sector.

It warned that failure to apologize would prompt consultations with members nationwide on lawful and peaceful measures to defend the industry’s economic interests and dignity.

“We are asking for respect, not confrontation,” Were said. “An apology would go a long way in restoring trust and acknowledging the contribution of this sector to Kenya’s development.”

The operators also appealed to President William Ruto for an opportunity to present the industry’s achievements and challenges, saying the informal transport sector plays a critical role in job creation, youth empowerment and economic growth.

Concluding the statement, TTON described the tuk tuk as “a symbol of resilience, entrepreneurship, innovation, opportunity and hope,” reaffirming its commitment to working with government agencies and stakeholders to improve road safety, advance clean mobility and build a more inclusive economy.