Boda Boda and Bajai Drivers Face Arbitrary Enforcement For Entering Kariakoo and Posta.




Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – March 20, 2026 –

 Bajaj and boda boda riders operating in Dar es Salaam’s Central Business District (CBD) say they are being compelled to pay Tsh36,000 for entry permits—despite the absence of any publicly gazetted bylaw or formal announcement from the City Council.


The claims surfaced after multiple drivers tipped their concerns in private channels, alleging on-the-spot penalties and restricted access to key commercial zones including Posta and Kariakoo. One driver, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisals, produced a receipt confirming payment for what he described as a mandatory CBD access permit. “They told us we cannot enter without paying. If you resist, you are fined or turned away,” he said.



The CBD is the beating heart of Dar’s commerce, with more than 300,000 people moving through the area daily. An estimated 75 percent of that traffic heads to Kariakoo, where over 9,000 traders—according to Tanzania Revenue Authority figures from 2022—depend on steady customer flow to sustain business.

Boda bodas and bajajis serve as critical last-mile transport, particularly for shoppers making bulk purchases that cannot be accommodated in dala dalas. Drivers argue that the sanctions are eroding rush hour revenues, which form the majority of their daily incomes. 

Industry stakeholders warn that sudden cost impositions—if not formally communicated or legally grounded—risk distorting mobility patterns, inflating consumer transport costs, and disrupting the informal-commercial ecosystem that underpins Kariakoo’s economy.

City authorities had not issued a public response at the time of publication.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MARKET CAPITALIZATION AT DAR ES SALAAM STOCK EXCHANGE RISES IN FEBRUARY, CEO COMMENDS INVESTORS

Image
The Chief Executive Officer of the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE), Mr. Peter Nalitolela, has commended investors following a significant increase in the market capitalization recorded in February this year. Speaking to journalists in Dar es Salaam while presenting the market performance report for the month of February, Nalitolela said the total market capitalization reached TZS 34.6 trillion across 28 listed companies. Of this amount, domestic listed companies—22 in total—accounted for TZS 24.2 trillion. He noted that this marks a substantial increase compared to February last year, when total market capitalization stood at TZS 19 trillion, while domestic companies accounted for TZS 12.1 trillion. “Year-on-year, our market has recorded strong growth. We thank investors for their continued confidence,” he said. Nalitolela also highlighted the performance of pension funds from both the public and private sectors that have invested in the stock market, noting that their investment va...
Read more

Muslim Hassanali Returns to Politics, Seeks CCM Nomination for Kinondoni Parliamentary Seat.

Image
Muslim Hassanali, who previously contested for the Ilala constituency parliamentary seat in 2015 under the opposition party CHADEMA, has resurfaced in the political arena—this time collecting a nomination form to run for Member of Parliament in Kinondoni under the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM). Hassanali, who later officially joined CCM, now joins a growing list of party members who have declared their intentions and collected nomination forms to seek the party’s endorsement ahead of the upcoming general elections. The process of collecting and returning nomination forms within CCM officially began on June 28, 2025, and is expected to conclude by July 2, 2025. Hassanali’s move signals a potentially competitive race within the party as aspirants vie for various leadership positions.
Read more

*Government Launches 15274 Hotline to Ease Access to National ID Information

Image
Dar es Salaam: The Government has urged citizens to use their mobile phones by dialing *15274 to easily access information related to National Identification Cards (NIDA). Speaking today, December 29, 2025, the Minister for Home Affairs, George Simbachawene, said the service will enable citizens to check the status of their National ID cards, including whether the card has been produced or not, with feedback provided within five days. He explained that through this number, citizens will receive important information regarding their National IDs, adding that damaged ID cards are expected to be replaced starting February 2026. “By using this number, you will be able to get information on whether your ID card has been produced. I emphasize that damaged ID cards will be issued in February 2026,” said Minister Simbachawene. The Minister further noted that the Government has put in place a strategy to introduce the use of a single identification card for accessing various government services...
Read more