Monrovia, Liberia – Civil society group, Solidarity & Trust for a New Day (STAND), has taken bold legal action by petitioning the Supreme Court of Liberia, calling for the immediate lifting of restrictions placed on motorbike and keke riders. STAND, representing the National Keke & Motorbike Riders Welfare & Advocacy Organization (NAKEMOR), argues that these bans violate fundamental rights, severely impacting thousands of riders who rely on their vehicles for their livelihood.
Filed on March 10, 2025, before Justice in Chambers Ceaineh D. Clinton Johnson, the petition demands the Supreme Court take swift action to protect the rights of motorbike and keke operators. Specifically, the petition calls for the lifting of the restrictions barring riders from areas like Monrovia and Duala Market. STAND’s legal counsel, Cllr. Sayma Cyrenius Cephus, outlined in the petition that the government’s actions undermine the constitutional rights of these riders by restricting their ability to freely access vital areas for their work.
Representing the group is STAND’s CEO, Mulbah K. Morlu, who emphasized that the government’s restrictions are detrimental not only to riders but also to Liberia’s economy. According to Morlu, the seized vehicles should be returned immediately, and fines imposed by the Liberia National Police should be halted. The petition also calls for the government to stop the arbitrary confiscation of motorbikes and kekes, highlighting the rights of licensed operators under the Vehicle and Traffic Law of Liberia.
“We are taking this legal route to ensure that the voices of motorbike and keke riders are heard. These restrictions are not only harmful to the riders themselves but to the entire informal transport sector,” Morlu stated. “These riders contribute to the livelihood of many Liberians, and it is unacceptable that the government continues to hinder their ability to make an honest living.”
The petition named the Government of Liberia as the respondent, alongside key officials such as Minister of Justice & Attorney General Oswald Tweh, Solicitor General Augustine Fayiah, and Inspector General Gregory Coleman of the Liberia National Police. These officials are tasked with responding to the legal challenge, which could have far-reaching implications for the country’s transport policies.
STAND’s petition is critical of the government’s restrictions, which it says disproportionately affect the working-class individuals who rely on motorbikes and kekes to provide for their families. With the ongoing ban on motorbike and keke access to key areas like Monrovia and Duala Market, thousands of riders face increasing hardship as their ability to earn a living is increasingly curtailed.
The restrictions were initially implemented as part of a government strategy aimed at reducing traffic congestion and addressing public safety concerns. However, critics argue that these measures have led to increased financial strain for many, leaving riders without alternative means of income. STAND insists that the government’s failure to consult the affected communities or provide an alternative livelihood plan amounts to an infringement on the rights of Liberians who depend on this sector.
“The restrictions are not a solution. They have only deepened the economic challenges for many Liberians who are struggling to make ends meet,” said Morlu. “We urge the Supreme Court to act quickly in protecting the rights of these vulnerable workers.”
In the past year, motorbike and keke riders have staged protests and written public letters demanding the government reconsider its stance. Their grievances include harassment by police officers, the confiscation of their vehicles, and the imposition of heavy fines that many riders cannot afford to pay.
The petitioners contend that the Liberia National Police’s actions are in violation of the rights guaranteed to every Liberian under the Constitution. STAND is seeking an immediate halt to these practices and calls for the restoration of access to essential commercial areas for all licensed motorbike and keke operators.
As the Supreme Court considers the petition, the case has garnered significant attention from civil society organizations, local advocacy groups, and community members. Many view this legal action as a necessary challenge to the overreach of government policies that they believe unfairly target low-income workers.
“We are standing in solidarity with the riders because this is about economic justice for all Liberians,” stated Morlu. “The Supreme Court must ensure that justice is done, and that these riders are treated fairly.”
