By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 19 July 2026 - Thousands of boda boda riders from across Kisumu County are converging at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Ground to watch the 2026 FIFA World Cup final in an event that doubles as a campaign for road safety, professionalism and closer collaboration between the transport sector and private investors.
Spain take on defending champions Argentina on Sunday night starting 10pm.
The colourful gathering, organised under the leadership of County Boda Boda Chairman and Patron Jacob Ogamba, has attracted operators from various sub-counties, with the event running late into the night as football enthusiasts followed the global showpiece on giant screens.
While the World Cup final provides the attraction, organisers are using the occasion to deliver a broader message on transforming the boda boda industry into a disciplined, organised and respected economic pillar.
Addressing the riders, Ogamba said the era when boda boda operators were viewed as disorderly had to come to an end, urging members to embrace what he described as a new culture of civilisation, professionalism and responsibility.
"The boda boda industry is no longer an informal activity for people with no direction. It is one of Kenya's largest employers and a critical driver of our economy. We must therefore conduct ourselves with dignity, obey traffic laws, respect our customers and demonstrate that we are responsible professionals," Ogamba said Sunday morning.
He challenged riders to abandon reckless riding, substance abuse and confrontational behaviour, saying public perception of the sector would only improve if operators became ambassadors of road safety and good conduct.
"Civilisation begins with discipline. Every rider should wear protective gear, respect fellow road users, avoid speeding and ensure passengers arrive safely. When we change our behaviour, we elevate the image of the entire sector," he added.
Ogamba further called for stronger partnerships between boda boda associations and financial institutions, noting that collaboration with companies such as MOGO could expand access to affordable motorcycle financing while promoting responsible borrowing and business growth.
"Development comes through partnership. We welcome investors who believe in boda boda riders because they empower us to own better motorcycles, improve our businesses and support our families. As riders, we must honour those partnerships through integrity, accountability and financial discipline," he said.
He also encouraged riders to register with recognised associations, observe the Highway Code and support continuous training programmes, saying professionalism would reduce road crashes while improving the sector's standing with regulators, financiers and the public.
MOGO Kenya Deputy Country Manager Branton Mutea reaffirmed the company's commitment to supporting boda boda operators through accessible asset financing and programmes that promote road safety and entrepreneurship.
"We see boda boda riders not merely as customers but as entrepreneurs who keep Kenya's economy moving every day. Our commitment is to provide responsible financial solutions that enable riders to own quality motorcycles, grow their businesses and improve their household incomes," Mutea said.
He noted that financial inclusion must go hand in hand with responsible road use, arguing that sustainable investment in the transport sector depends on operators protecting both lives and property.
"Financing alone is not enough. We believe responsible riding, financial discipline and continuous training are equally important. A rider who values safety also protects his investment, his customers and his family's future."
Mutea welcomed the growing partnership between MOGO Kenya and boda boda associations across Kisumu County, saying organised groups offer an effective platform for financial literacy, customer education and responsible borrowing. He pledged that the company would continue investing in training programmes and community outreach initiatives aimed at strengthening the sector.
He commended Ogamba and the county leadership for championing unity and professionalism, describing the huge turnout at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Ground as evidence that boda boda riders are ready to embrace positive change. He urged operators to maintain discipline on the roads, honour their financial obligations and work collectively to build one of Kenya's most respected and economically vibrant transport industries.
Other sector leaders, including Prince Yinda and Elisha Toto, echoed the call for unity, saying the boda boda industry had evolved into a key source of employment for thousands of young people and deserved recognition as a professional transport service.
They urged riders to remain united, comply with traffic regulations and support initiatives aimed at improving safety standards and enhancing the welfare of operators across the county.
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Officer Commanding Station (OCS) Benson Matheka hailed the event as a powerful demonstration of the growing bond between the National Police Service and the boda boda fraternity, saying such engagements help build trust, improve communication and strengthen community policing.
"This is a good picture of people bonding freely. It demonstrates that the relationship between the police, boda boda riders and other well-wishers continues to grow stronger. Such interactions create understanding, build confidence and make our work of keeping communities safe much easier," Matheka said.
The OCS noted that the partnership between the police and the boda boda sector had significantly improved in recent years, replacing suspicion with cooperation in tackling insecurity, traffic offences and public safety challenges.
"Our cooperation with the boda boda sector is very good. Riders are increasingly becoming partners in promoting security by sharing information, responding responsibly and observing the law. We want this relationship to continue growing because security is a shared responsibility."
Matheka urged riders to maintain discipline on the roads and continue working closely with law enforcement agencies, saying mutual respect and open engagement were critical in reducing accidents and combating crime.
He pledged that the National Police Service would sustain its close collaboration with boda boda associations through regular engagements, road safety campaigns and community policing initiatives, describing the World Cup gathering as an example of how sport can unite communities while advancing important public safety messages. He said bringing the police and boda boda riders to play together was a good idea. " Some fear the police. But it's now a working opportunity together," said Mutea.
The Motorcycle Operators Association (MOA) Chairman and Kisumu County Coordinator, Ochieng Omwa, praised MOGO Kenya for sponsoring the World Cup viewing event and the series of activities that preceded it, saying the initiative had strengthened unity and camaraderie among boda boda riders across the county.
Omwa said the celebrations extended beyond football, with riders participating in sporting competitions including football matches, tug of war and other team-building activities organised courtesy of MOGO Kenya. He noted that the events had created an opportunity for operators from different parts of the county to interact, build friendships and promote healthy competition.
"We sincerely thank MOGO Kenya for standing with the boda boda fraternity. This was not just about watching the World Cup final. They organised football matches, tug of war and several other recreational activities that brought riders together in a spirit of unity. It is a commendable initiative that deserves support," Omwa said.
He observed that such engagements help cultivate discipline, teamwork and mutual respect among riders while providing a platform to discuss challenges facing the sector away from the pressures of daily business.
Omwa urged more corporate organisations and development partners to emulate MOGO's approach by investing in programmes that combine entertainment, road safety education and economic empowerment, saying such partnerships contribute significantly to transforming the boda boda industry into a more organised, professional and socially responsible sector.
As they await the epic final, riders who attended the morning session to have a glimpse of what to expect, pledged to champion safer roads, strengthen cooperation within the industry and uphold professionalism.
The world waits to see who between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal will lift the World Cup at MetLife Stadium in the U.S.
Back in Kisumu, the organisers of the common watch event and mobilasation have described it as both a sporting festival and a milestone in the continued transformation of Kenya's boda boda sector.
Thousands of Boda Boda Riders Gather for 2026 FIFA World Cup Final as Leaders Push for Safer, More Professional Sector
Leaders and boda boda riders start to converge at common venues fitted with big screens to share joy and laughter as Spain take on defending champions Argentina in epic 2026 FIFA World Cup Final.