Boda boda operators in Busia County have called for stronger collaboration between Kenya and Uganda to address the rising cases of cross-border motorcycle theft that continue to inflict heavy losses on riders, financiers and the wider transport sector.
The appeal was made during a security awareness forum held at St. Joseph’s Busia Girls Primary School, organised by Mogo, East Africa’s leading asset financier, in partnership with Bajaj Auto.
The forum brought together more than 500 riders, financiers and security agencies to discuss the growing threat of cross-border motorcycle theft and identify practical interventions to strengthen prevention and recovery efforts.
Busia County is one of Kenya’s busiest border counties, serving as a major gateway between Kenya and Uganda. While the border supports vibrant regional trade and the free movement of people within the East African Community, it has also become a preferred route for organised criminal syndicates involved in motorcycle theft.
Stakeholders at the meeting noted that, besides the official Busia and Malaba border posts, criminals increasingly exploit numerous porous crossing points along River Malaba and border villages such as Sofia, Alupe, Amukura and Sio Port, as well as other unofficial footpaths linking Kenya and eastern Uganda, to move stolen motorcycles across the border before they can be traced. The motorcycles are then dismantled for spare parts, re-registered using forged ownership documents or resold in neighbouring markets.
Participants said organised criminal gangs are increasingly targeting motorcycles in border counties before smuggling them into neighbouring countries within hours of theft, making recovery extremely difficult.
The boda boda sector remains one of Kenya’s largest sources of employment, particularly for young people, with thousands relying on motorcycles as their primary source of income. However, theft has become a growing concern, especially for riders who purchase motorcycles through financing arrangements and are left repaying loans even after losing their means of livelihood.
Speaking during the forum, Mogo Kenya Busia Branch Manager Alex Barasa said motorcycle theft continues to pose a significant risk to both riders and financiers because of the substantial financial losses incurred whenever financed motorcycles are stolen.
He noted that collaboration among riders, financiers and security agencies has already contributed to the recovery of several stolen motorcycles in recent months.
“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,” said Mr. Barasa.
“Stronger cooperation among all stakeholders, supported by enhanced intelligence sharing between Kenya and Uganda, is essential to dismantle these criminal networks.”
Mr. Barasa added that collaboration between financiers, security agencies and boda boda associations has improved motorcycle recovery rates from about 40 per cent a year ago to more than 60 per cent today.
Busia County Boda Boda Chairman Boniface Okumu said the county’s strategic position as Kenya’s principal gateway to Uganda exposes local riders to a heightened risk of cross-border motorcycle theft.
He said the association is 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 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.
Bajaj Auto Service Manager for Rift, Nyanza and Western regions, Geoffrey Kemboi, said protecting riders’ livelihoods requires a collective effort from all stakeholders in the industry.
“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,” he said.
Stakeholders at the forum called on the governments of Kenya and Uganda to strengthen joint border patrols, enhance intelligence sharing, increase surveillance along porous crossing points and establish faster cross-border mechanisms for tracing and recovering stolen motorcycles. They said these measures would help dismantle organised criminal networks operating along the shared border and better protect the livelihoods of riders.