By Rodgers Omondi, Busia
Boda boda riders, financiers and motorcycle dealers in Busia County have intensified efforts to combat the rising cases of motorcycle theft by strengthening collaboration with security agencies and calling for closer cooperation between Kenya and Uganda.
Speaking during a security awareness meeting held at St. Joseph’s Busia Girls Primary School, Busia County Boda Boda Chairman Bonface Okumu said the county’s strategic position as Kenya’s main gateway to Uganda has made local riders increasingly vulnerable to cross-border motorcycle theft.
“As the association, we are working closely with security agencies to sensitise riders on motorcycle security, encourage the installation of tracking devices and promote the prompt reporting of suspicious activities.”
Okumu noted that besides the official Busia and Malaba border posts, criminals are exploiting numerous porous crossing points to move stolen motorcycles across the border before they can be traced.
“The porous points along River Malaba and border villages such as Sofia, Alupe, Amukura, Sio Port and other unofficial footpaths linking Kenya and eastern Uganda provide a route to move stolen motorcycles across the border before they can be traced. The bikes are then either dismantled for spare parts, re-registered using forged ownership documents or resold in neighbouring markets.”
He expressed optimism that stronger cooperation between Kenya and Uganda would significantly reduce motorcycle theft and improve the livelihoods of thousands of riders who depend on the sector.
Mogo Kenya Busia Branch Manager Alex Barasa said motorcycle theft continues to pose a major risk to both riders and financiers due to the huge financial losses incurred whenever financed motorcycles are stolen.
“Motorcycle theft remains a serious challenge because stolen motorcycles are often moved across borders within a very short time through both official and unofficial crossing points, making tracking and recovery difficult.” He said.
Barasa said collaboration between riders, financiers and security agencies has contributed to the recovery of several stolen motorcycles in recent months, with recovery rates improving from about 40 per cent a year ago to more than 60 per cent today.
“Stronger cooperation among all stakeholders, supported by better intelligence sharing between Kenya and Uganda, is essential to dismantle these criminal networks.”
Bajaj Auto Service Manager for Rift, Nyanza and Western regions Geoffrey Kemboi said protecting motorcycles is a shared responsibility because they remain a vital source of income for thousands of families.
“Motorcycles are valuable income-generating assets for thousands of families, and safeguarding them is a shared responsibility. We are proud to partner with Mogo and the Busia County Boda Boda leadership to promote rider safety, encourage responsible motorcycle ownership and support initiatives that strengthen the resilience of the boda boda sector.”
Ends.
