Mogo Donates Motorcycles to Kisumu Police to Boost Fight Against Theft
By Peace Muthoka
KISUMU, Kenya — Mogo has donated motorcycles and office furniture to police stations in Kisumu County in a move aimed at improving police mobility and strengthening efforts to combat motorcycle theft.
Central and Obunga police stations, together with the Nyanza Regional Police Commander’s office, each received a motorcycle. The two police stations and the DCIO office also received office furniture, including tables and chairs, to support their operations.
The initiative comes as Mogo seeks closer cooperation between security agencies, boda boda operators, motorcycle owners and other stakeholders in tackling theft and improving the recovery of stolen motorcycles. The company said the challenge also involves cases in which stolen motorcycles are moved across borders into neighbouring countries, including Tanzania, Ethiopia and South Sudan.
According to Mogo, tackling the problem requires timely reporting, better tracking and stronger cooperation between those involved in the motorcycle sector. The company said security agencies also need adequate resources to respond quickly to reported cases and patrol areas where motorcycle theft is a concern.
The National Crime Research Centre has also highlighted the link between motorcycles and criminal activities. Its Organised Criminal Gangs Report found that 24.3 per cent of respondents nationally identified the theft of motorcycles and boda bodas among criminal activities associated with gangs. The report further found that 71.1 per cent of respondents said gangs use motorcycles and boda bodas to facilitate their movement.
The findings underline the importance of cooperation between communities and law enforcement agencies, particularly through information sharing, community policing and increased patrols. They also point to the need for security agencies to have the necessary resources to respond to emerging security challenges.
Branton Mutea of Mogo said the company plans to extend the initiative beyond Kisumu to other parts of the country.
“We have rolled out this initiative in Kisumu and plan to take it to all 47 counties. Security officers are key partners in the fight against motorcycle theft, and we believe supporting them with mobility and other resources can strengthen their ability to respond to incidents,” said Mutea.
He said motorcycle theft affects more than the owners of the stolen assets because many families depend on motorcycles for their daily income.
“Mogo has been at the forefront of efforts to address motorcycle theft because of its impact on families and businesses that depend on these assets. When a motorcycle is stolen, the consequences go beyond the loss of an asset; it can disrupt a person’s ability to earn a living,” he said.
Nyanza Regional Police Commander Peter Oburu welcomed the support, saying improved mobility would help officers respond to incidents, conduct patrols and maintain closer contact with communities.
“Mobility is an important part of effective policing. The motorcycles will help officers respond more quickly to incidents, conduct patrols and engage with communities,” said Oburu.
He also called for greater cooperation between police, financial institutions, motorcycle owners, operators and the public, particularly in sharing information about suspicious activities and reporting stolen motorcycles promptly.
Mogo said its support to security agencies forms part of wider measures to prevent motorcycle theft and improve the recovery of stolen vehicles and motorcycles. The company operates a 24-hour emergency response service through which customers can report stolen assets and seek assistance with recovery.
Customers can also report stolen vehicles and motorcycles through Mogo’s SAKA platform, a digital public database designed to help report and verify stolen assets.
The company said it will continue working with police, boda boda associations and other stakeholders to strengthen security in the motorcycle sector, including efforts to address the movement of stolen motorcycles across borders and protect the livelihoods that depend on the industry.
