Boda boda riders in Uasin Gishu join security agencies to fight motorcycle theft

 Boda boda operators in Uasin Gishu County have pledged to work closely with security agencies and motorcycle financiers to tackle rising cases of motorcycle theft in the region.

Speaking during a meeting held at Central Primary School in Eldoret and organised by Mogo Kenya, boda boda leaders said many motorcycles stolen in Uasin Gishu are trafficked through border routes into neighbouring Uganda.

Boda Boda Association of Kenya National Executive Chairman, Kevin Mubadi, said stronger cooperation between riders, financiers and security officers would help ensure theft cases are reported quickly and recovery efforts improved.

“If we strengthen collaboration with security agencies and financiers, cases of motorcycle theft will reduce significantly and save riders from the pain of losing their source of livelihood to organised criminal syndicates,” said Mr Mubadi.

He also urged boda boda riders to attend driving schools, acquire valid licences, follow traffic rules and obtain insurance cover to protect themselves in the event of accidents or injuries.

According to government statistics, road traffic accidents rose from 11,165 in 2024 to 11,638 in 2025, pushing the total number of casualties up by 2.7 per cent to 24,905.

Mogo Kenya Head of Brand and Communications, Becky Ngigi, said the company was strengthening partnerships with security agencies, boda boda associations and motorcycle manufacturers to improve tracking and recovery of stolen motorcycles.

She said Mogo’s digital theft response platform, SAKA, introduced in 2025, has improved the reporting and recovery of stolen motorcycles through a 24-hour emergency response system. According to Mogo, about 60 per cent of theft cases reported through the platform since August last year have been successfully recovered.

Ms Ngigi said motorcycle theft continued to affect both riders and financiers, with some victims seriously injured or killed before their motorcycles are stolen and sold.

Data from the recently released Economic Survey shows that more than 1,280 vehicle theft cases; most involving motorcycles, were reported to police last year, with five foreigners among those convicted.

Uasin Gishu is among counties experiencing a rise in motorcycle theft cases alongside Busia, Kisumu, Samburu, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia and Marsabit.

Security experts attribute the trend to porous borders, weak cross-border enforcement and growing demand for second-hand motorcycles and spare parts in neighbouring countries.

The Eldoret meeting follows a recent joint forum at the Suam border in Trans Nzoia County that brought together Kenyan and Ugandan security officers, boda boda leaders and financiers to strengthen cross-border cooperation against motorcycle theft.

The forum resolved to establish a joint committee to improve intelligence sharing and tracking of stolen motorcycles.

Participants noted that criminals often switch number plates between Kenya and Uganda or tamper with chassis numbers to evade detection. Others dismantle stolen motorcycles and sell the spare parts through informal markets and unlicensed dealers.

Uasin Gishu County Boda Boda Chairman Nahashon Kipchumba Kemei said local boda boda associations had intensified registration of riders operating at night to help identify genuine operators and weed out criminals posing as riders.

“We are working closely with security officers to ensure all boda boda riders operating at night are properly registered and identifiable. This will help reduce cases where thieves disguise themselves as boda boda operators,” said Mr Kemei.

Authorities said closer collaboration between security agencies and boda boda operators could help reduce theft and improve safety within the sector.

During the meeting in Eldoret, Mr Kemei received a motorcycle donated by Mogo and Auto Industries Ltd, the distributor and assembler of Bajaj motorcycles and three-wheelers in Kenya, to support rapid response to theft and distress cases and improve recovery efforts.