Boda boda riders across Kenya have been urged to reject attempts by politicians to use them to mobilise violence and disorder as the country prepares for the 2027 General Election.
Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya (BAK) Executive Chairman Kevin Mubadi said young riders are frequently targeted during political campaigns because of their numbers, mobility and ability to mobilise crowds.
“Most of the time our young people are used badly to cause chaos. That is why we have come to Trans Nzoia to meet our leaders and boda boda riders and talk about peace as we approach the elections,” Mubadi said during the association’s engagement with boda boda operators in Trans Nzoia.
He challenged boda boda riders interested in politics to seek elective positions rather than being used to advance other people’s political interests.
“We want our young people to come out and stand for positions such as MCA, MP, senator and even governor, but they should do that peacefully,” he said.
Mubadi warned that political unrest could directly undermine the livelihoods of boda boda operators, who rely on secure roads and uninterrupted movement to earn an income.
“As boda boda people, we depend on peace for us to make money. If there is chaos on the roads, we are the ones who suffer,” he said.
The Trans Nzoia engagement forms part of BAK’s county-by-county programme dubbed “Safe Riders, Stronger Communities”, which focuses on peacebuilding, road safety, financial literacy, youth empowerment, health and wellbeing, and networking.
The association is also encouraging riders to adopt responsible riding practices, saying safer roads are critical to protecting lives and sustaining the boda boda industry.
BAK said the programme seeks to strengthen boda boda riding as a sustainable livelihood for young people while improving the welfare and social responsibility of operators.
Financial literacy was also a key focus of the Trans Nzoia engagement, with riders encouraged to save, plan their finances and understand the terms of loans before borrowing.
Mogo Head of Public Relations Becky Ngige said the organisation was taking financial education directly to boda boda riders to help them make informed decisions about financial products.
“We are coming to the ground to simplify these concepts so that our customers can understand them, including the difference between reducing balance and flat-rate interest,” Ngige said.
Ngige said riders were also being trained on responsible borrowing and the importance of protecting their credit scores.
Trans Nzoia Boda Boda Association chairman Vincent Alikula welcomed the initiative, saying financial education would help riders understand loan obligations and make better borrowing decisions.
The programme, conducted in partnership with Mogo, aims to strengthen cooperation between boda boda operators and stakeholders while promoting peace, road safety, financial responsibility and stronger communities ahead of the 2027 elections.
