Bodaboda operators demand urgent government action on theft, safety concerns

Motorbikes belonging to bodaboda operators in Nairobi in his photo taken on August 04, 2024. [Standard, File]

Bodaboda operators are calling on the government to urgently address longstanding safety concerns faced by the sector.

Speaking during celebrations to mark 61st Jamhuri Day at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi on Thursday, December 12, Bodaboda Safety Association of Kenya (BAK) National Secretary General Nehemiah Kinyua noted that the industry continues to grapple with preventable accidents, thefts and rising operational costs, despite its significant role in the country’s economy.

Kinyua criticised the government for its slow response to these challenges, accusing authorities of neglecting the sector, which he claimed supports over one million Kenyans.

 “Our sector remains plagued by safety concerns, inadequate security, and unaffordable licensing,” Kinyua said.

“Despite contributing significantly to the economy, we have seen little tangible support from the government. We continue to face preventable accidents, thefts, and rising operational costs, all of which push riders deeper into hardship.”

Key concerns included e-mobility, safety, licensing barriers, security failures and the lack of SACCO membership enforcement.

Kinyua urged the government to support the sector’s shift to electric motorcycles, noting missed opportunities to reduce fuel dependency, lower operational costs and promote environmental conservation.

The plea comes barely a month after Kinyua revealed that operators are now considering establishing their own insurance agency and building a motorcycle tracking system to address the theft problem.

The Bodaboda Information Management System, already piloted, will help identify genuine operators and track stolen motorcycles across regions.

The system aims to distinguish between legitimate and rogue riders, helping to curb the flow of stolen bikes being used across different regions without accountability.

Kevin Mubadi, BAK’s national chairman, explained that the system will host critical details like rider names, contacts, motorcycle registration numbers, and stages of operation.

“The system will help deal with cases of runaway theft and crimes,” Mubadi said.

“For example, someone can steal a motorcycle from Nairobi or Mombasa, go to Busia, and continue operating. When someone tries to search from the NTSA system, they find it still under the dealer or creditor, but we do not have the real name of the owner. Once we have this data, it becomes easier to trace and hold the actual owners accountable.”

A recent report by Watu Credit revealed that 22,826 bike theft cases were reported between January 2022 and January 2024.

The firm’s country manager, Erick Massawe, noted that Watu Credit’s market share – around 50 per cent of motorcycles financed – makes it a common target for theft accusations.

Massawe called for a dedicated bodaboda police unit, similar to cybercrime units, to work closely with the sector to combat these challenges effectively.

According to the National Crime Research Centre, theft of motorcycles and parts remains the leading crime against bodaboda operators at 86.5 per cent, followed by robbery (85.2 per cent) and murder (62.2 per cent).

The growing insecurity has led to a rise in mob justice, with operators taking matters into their own hands, further tarnishing the sector’s image.

“We continue to face theft, which is threatening the survival of our livelihoods,” noted Kinyua.

“Unless urgent action is taken, the sector risks collapsing under the weight of these challenges.”