Kutus: Kirinyaga County Police Commander Nelson Taliti has reaffirmed the National Police Service’s commitment to enhancing security for boda boda operators across the county, following a surge in motorcycle theft cases reported in Kutus and neighbouring areas. Speaking during a meeting bringing together the county security team and boda boda operators from Kutus town, Taliti assured riders that law enforcement agencies were scaling up coordinated operations, intelligence gathering, and rapid-response mechanisms to protect their livelihoods.
According to Kenya News Agency, the meeting, which drew hundreds of riders from different stages, offered a platform for operators to voice their concerns, share personal experiences, and seek improved collaboration with security agencies in tackling the growing threat. During the forum, boda boda riders expressed deep frustration over the rising cases of motorcycle theft, which they said has become a threat to their personal safety and a direct blow to their source of income.
The operators, led by Kutus boda boda chairman Patrick Waweru, said motorcycle theft has evolved into a sophisticated and coordinated criminal activity, with thieves targeting bikes mostly during late-night hours or when riders are off-duty. Waweru noted that the surge in the theft of motorcycles was being driven by multiple factors, among them the rising demand for second-hand motorbikes within the region. He explained that most buyers now preferred used bikes due to the increasing cost of new motorcycles, making the second-hand market a lucrative avenue for stolen units to be sold discreetly.
‘The theft problem is compounded by the existence of many motorcycle spare part shops scattered across Kirinyaga County. Some of these shops have been found in possession of suspicious parts during police operations. In several cases, investigations revealed that the parts were extracted from motorcycles previously reported stolen,’ said the chairman. He emphasized that criminals appeared to have established networks for dismantling stolen motorcycles and distributing the parts to unsuspecting or complicit spare part dealers, making it harder for riders to recover their property once stolen.
Waweru said from their observations, the increasing thefts point to the possibility of organized groups that are now targeting boda boda riders, especially those operating late at night or in less protected areas. ‘I urge the police to strengthen intelligence-sharing with riders, noting that timely access to information can help prevent theft and support faster recovery of stolen motorcycles,’ says Waweru.
The boda boda operators have appealed to the county security team to increase night patrols, particularly along routes that riders frequently use when returning home from work. They also called for enhanced collaboration with businesses equipped with CCTV cameras, saying the footage would greatly boost investigations and evidence gathering. Several riders who had been targets of motorcycle theft narrated their experiences to the security team.
Among them was Benson Mwangi, whose motorbike was stolen on Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Mwangi explained that he arrived at his residence late that evening and, due to exhaustion and the late hour, decided to park his motorcycle just outside his room. He said he ensured that the apartment gate was securely closed before proceeding to bed. However, when he woke up the next morning, the motorcycle was missing. Mwangi immediately contacted his service provider, who had installed a tracking device on the bike. Upon activation, the tracker indicated that the motorcycle was already on the move and heading toward Meru County.
He reported the incident at Kutus Police Station, but felt that the response was delayed. Seeking further assistance, he proceeded to Kianyaga Police Station, where he reported the matter to the DCIO. The DCIO coordinated with officers in Meru, leading to a successful operation that resulted in the recovery of the motorcycle at Mutuati Police Station. Mwangi later traveled to Meru to identify the motorcycle and confirmed it as his. He praised the efforts of the Kianyaga and Meru police teams but urged officers at all stations to act more swiftly whenever riders reported such incidents.
He encouraged fellow riders to secure their motorcycles using advanced anti-theft devices and to support one another by sharing information promptly. ‘We must be our brother’s keeper,’ he said. Another rider, James Mithamo, also narrated his ordeal, emphasizing the psychological and financial stress that theft imposed on riders. He said retrieving a stolen motorcycle is often a long, tiresome process, and only a few riders were lucky enough to recover their bikes.
In his remarks, County Commander Taliti said the police service is fully committed to addressing the concerns raised by the riders. He noted that boda boda operators played a vital role in transport and local commerce, making it necessary for security agencies to ensure they operate in a safe environment. Taliti encouraged riders to adopt personal safety measures, including being cautious about where they parked their motorcycles and remaining alert, especially when working late into the night. He said investigations into recent thefts revealed that in some cases, insider involvement or collusion among riders could not be ruled out.
He urged riders to report suspicious behaviour among colleagues and to cooperate with law enforcement officers to dismantle criminal networks within the sector. Commander Taliti emphasized the importance of riders organizing themselves into registered groups and SACCOs, saying such organizations helped in ensuring accountability, making it easier for police to verify identities, monitor operations, and detect outsiders who may infiltrate the sector for criminal purposes.
He added that SACCOs also enabled riders to benefit from structured leadership, regulated conduct, joint security arrangements, and better communication channels with the police. Taliti reminded all operators to ensure they possess the required documents, including riding licenses, logbooks, insurance papers, and other legal authorizations saying compliance not only enhanced personal accountability but also helped police differentiate genuine riders from criminal elements.
He urged riders to wear proper protective gear such as helmets and reflector jackets, noting that such measures improved safety and visibility, especially during night-time operations. The County Commander reassured riders that they could report incidents to any nearest police station, regardless of administrative boundaries. He said no rider should be denied assistance simply because the crime occurred in a different sub county.
Taliti stressed that immediate reporting increases the chances of recovering stolen motorcycles and disrupting criminal activities early. Commander Taliti also cautioned riders against engaging in drug abuse, drug trafficking, or any illegal activities. He said such behaviour compromised the safety of riders and their passengers and created an environment that criminals could exploit.
He urged riders to embrace discipline and professionalism, saying these qualities are essential for strengthening trust between the sector and the security agencies. With the December festive season approaching, the Commander warned that criminal activities often escalate during this period due to increased movement and financial transactions. He encouraged riders to be extra vigilant, avoid isolated routes late at night, and report any unusual activities immediately.
In their closing remarks, the boda boda leaders promised to strengthen collaboration with the police and committed to educating their members on security measures, encouraging registration through organized groups, and supporting prompt reporting of suspicious activities. They also requested the police to continue engaging them through regular security barazas, saying coordinated efforts between the two groups would significantly reduce the theft cases.