By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 17 December 2025 - Kisumu County is moving to formalise its boda boda sector with new regulatory measures and strengthened partnerships aimed at improving rider welfare and reducing crime.
The reforms come as the sector continues to play a significant role in Kenya’s economy, generating approximately KSh 660 billion annually, or 4.4% of the country’s GDP, and directly employing over 2.5 million people, according to Viffa Consult.
At a recent event organised by the Kisumu County Boda Boda Association, County Commissioner Bernard Leparmorijo urged riders to exercise caution in their operations.
“Boda boda riders should not operate beyond 11pm unless it is an emergency to avoid the risks associated with thuggery or other crimes,” Leparmorijo stated.
He also stressed the importance of legal compliance, warning riders against driving without licenses and taking the law into their own hands.
“Riders must exercise restraint and adhere to the rule of law,” he added.
The reforms are set to become mandatory next year. Over 20,000 registered boda boda operators in Kisumu County will be required to join Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations (SACCOs) within their respective areas.
Jacob Ogamba, chairman of the Kisumu County Boda Boda Association, explained the rationale: “No rider will be allowed to operate without a special card issued to SACCO members. This measure is aimed at restoring order and ridding the sector of criminals hiding among genuine riders.”
He warned that non-compliant riders will be removed from operations, emphasizing the move as a step toward both security and professionalism within the industry.
The regulatory push coincides with infrastructure improvements supported by private sector partners.
Mogo, a national supplier of motorcycles, fully funded the renovation of the association’s offices, which were recently destroyed by fire.
Margaret Waithaka, Mogo’s Nyanza regional manager, said the company’s support goes beyond material reconstruction.
“Mogo has always been at the heart of supporting boda boda operators, not only by helping them acquire motorcycles at affordable prices and access flexible loans, but also by actively contributing to their social and economic wellbeing.”
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The refurbished offices are intended to provide a hub for coordination, dispute resolution, welfare services, and administrative support for riders.
The reopening ceremony featured a tree-planting exercise, a free motorcycle service clinic, and interactive activities for members. Mogo’s initiatives also include financial literacy training, responsible borrowing education, and community programs aimed at addressing social challenges, such as teenage pregnancies.
The partnership has received commendation from county leadership.
Commissioner Leparmorijo praised the reforms, noting that they “will go a long way in uplifting the living standards of riders in addition to reducing crime within Kisumu County.”
The riders themselves expressed gratitude for Mogo’s contributions, which include affordable financing options and donations of new motorcycles, with one gifted to the association chairman by Bajaj.
The reforms in Kisumu reflect a broader trend of formalization and corporate engagement in Kenya’s boda boda sector.
In combining regulatory oversight, SACCO membership, and private sector investment, the initiative seeks to enhance safety, accountability, and income generation for riders.
Analysts note that Western Kenya, where Kisumu is located, is a significant hub for boda boda activity, underscoring the sector’s importance in regional economic growth.
Industry observers suggest that formalisation efforts such as these could provide a blueprint for other counties seeking to integrate informal transport operators into formal financial systems while simultaneously improving safety standards.
With corporate partners like Mogo leading investments in infrastructure and rider welfare, the Kisumu initiative highlights the potential for sustainable, inclusive growth in a sector that remains critical to Kenya’s transport ecosystem and overall economic vitality.
As the county moves toward mandatory SACCO membership next year, all eyes will be on compliance, enforcement, and the ability of these reforms to balance safety, professionalisation, and economic opportunity for thousands of boda boda riders in Kisumu.
Kisumu Boda Boda Sector Tightens Regulation Amid Reforms and Corporate Support
Boda Boda Sector Reforms in Kisumu Aim to Curb Crime and Boost Rider Welfare
