By Nelvin Juma
Boda boda operators in Bungoma County have pledged to work closely with security agencies to tackle a surge in motorcycle theft that has disrupted livelihoods and left some riders injured or dead.
The commitment was made during a meeting organized by Mogo Kenya that brought together riders, local leaders, security officers and motorcycle financiers. Participants said the rising cases of violent robberies, particularly within Bungoma town, have created fear among operators who depend on their motorcycles for daily income.
Riders said criminals, some posing as customers or fellow operators, are targeting them and stealing motorcycles, often using force. In some incidents, victims have been seriously injured or killed.
Brian Achebe, chairman of the Kanduyi Boda Boda Association, said the crisis has had far-reaching consequences for families and the local economy.
“Families are mourning, some riders are in hospital, and many have lost their only source of income after their motorbikes were stolen,” he said. “We have agreed on joint action between boda boda operators, financiers and security officers to weed out criminals within our ranks.”
Operators noted that beyond the human cost, theft has also led to financial strain, with affected riders struggling to repay loans after losing their motorcycles.
Stakeholders at the meeting proposed a series of measures, including improved tracking and recovery of stolen bikes, temporary repayment relief for affected riders with police reports, and regular safety forums to warn operators about high-risk areas.
Maurice Kandie, Area Sales Manager for Mogo in Bungoma, said the company has been engaging riders and security agencies to help address the growing problem.
“As financiers, we have taken this step of engaging boda boda operators across the country to reduce theft, which has left many riders, including our clients, without a source of income,” he said. “The theft is a setback to our mission of enabling Kenyans to access affordable motorcycles to earn a living.”
Bungoma is among counties reporting high levels of motorcycle theft, a trend often linked to organised criminal networks operating along border areas.
Other affected counties include Busia, Kisumu, Trans Nzoia, Samburu and Marsabit.
Security experts attribute the problem to porous borders, high demand for second-hand motorcycles and spare parts in neighbouring countries, and weak cross-border enforcement.
The Bungoma meeting follows a recent joint forum at the Suam border in Trans Nzoia County, which brought together Kenyan and Ugandan security officers, boda boda leaders and financiers. The meeting resolved to form a joint committee to share intelligence and improve tracking of stolen motorcycles across the border.
Participants at the Suam meeting said criminals often switch number plates between the two countries or tamper with chassis numbers to evade detection. Some also dismantle stolen motorcycles and sell the parts through informal channels, including unlicensed scrap dealers.
Leaders from Uganda said the challenge is equally serious on their side. In the Sebei sub-region alone, more than 200 motorcycles have been stolen in the past two years, with some believed to have been moved across the border into Kenya.
Recent cooperation between security teams and operators has already led to the recovery of some stolen motorcycles, highlighting the importance of coordinated efforts.
Authorities and riders in Bungoma now hope that closer collaboration will help stem the losses and restore safety in the sector.
