Police in Ugunja have cautioned boda boda operators against allowing politicians to exploit them for violence or criminal activities as the political season approaches.
Speaking during a security and financial literacy forum that brought together over 600 riders, Ugunja Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Chief Inspector Richard Matoke urged the operators to safeguard peace and maintain strict discipline on the roads.
”We are heading toward a political season; all we are asking for is peace,” Chief Inspector Matoke said. “Do not let politicians use you to do bad things. That is the crucial message from our national chairman wherever you go, advocate peace among our boda boda operators so we can have a peaceful election.”
Matoke noted that boda boda riders are key economic stakeholders whose livelihoods depend on stability, adding that a peaceful environment is essential for daily business operations.
Addressing rising cases of motorcycle theft in the sub-county, the police boss advised operators to install tracking devices on their bikes and report incidents promptly to enable swift recovery.
He further warned riders against flouting traffic rules, pointing out that failing to wear reflective jackets at night and reckless riding remain major causes of preventable accidents.
Boda Boda Safety Association National Executive Chairman Kevin Mubadi echoed the call for peace, reminding riders that political unrest directly destroys their source of income.
”When elections end, politicians return to Nairobi while you remain here in the village,” Mubadi told the gathering. “You are the only people who go hungry when movement stops due to chaos. Stand with the police, report criminal elements among you, and protect the peace so you can put food on the table.”
Association Secretary Dominic Opany identified persistent insecurity as the biggest threat facing operators in the region, urging joint vigilance between riders and law enforcement agencies.
During the same forum, asset-financing firm Mogo sensitized the operators on responsible borrowing and debt management. Mogo Head of Public Relations Becky Ngingi noted that rising loan defaults and a lack of clarity on repayment terms had prompted the company to roll out financial literacy clinics across more than 20 counties.
”We have noted that customers are taking loan restructuring as a usual thing, yet prolonging the loan makes it more expensive in the long run and creates a heavier burden,” Ngingi said, advising riders to seek restructuring only during genuine emergencies and to use official channels to resolve payment challenges early.
