Kisumu, 20th July 2026 –Kisumu Central Police, boda boda operators and MoGO Auto Limited on Sunday used football, tug-of-war and entertainment to push for stronger community policing and better road safety in Kisumu City.
The event held at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Ground brought together officers, riders, matatu operators and residents for a day of joint games and a free live screening of the FIFA World Cup 2026 final piting Spain against Argentina.
Kisumu Central OCS Chief Inspector Benson Matheka said community policing remains key to effective policing.
“Community policing has been a key strategy that has helped police interact and be able to perform its mandate. When we interact with members of the public, it gives them a positive picture of officers. And when they see us, they are very free to share information,” Matheka said.
He noted the boda boda sector is now one of the most important in the town and plays a critical role in security.
“They are present at specific points day and night. They are able to share information on time. That helps us to act whenever required. For the purpose of helping Kenyans, that is our basic role.”
Matheka said police had deployed enough officers to secure the event and ensure “safety to the mwanainchi is assured.”
Branton Nsami Motea, Deputy Country Manager, MoGO Auto Limited, said the day was about breaking barriers between riders and police.
“Whenever our clients, the boda boda riders, see police, sometimes they run away. When there is an accident and police want to record a statement, they just run away because they fear,” Motea said.
“But today we brought them together to play football, to make sure they interact, they know each other. In case of anything, they can talk, not just running away.”
The day featured a football match between police and boda boda riders, tug-of-war, and an eating competition sponsored by MoGO.
James Omwa, Secretary General for Matatu Owners Kisumu County, County Transport and Safety Committee member, and County Coordinator for Community Policing, said cooperation between riders and police can help end crime in Kisumu.
“What I can talk about is that we’ve been pushing so much for cooperation and collaboration between community members and the National Police Service. If boda boda agree in heart and in full to cooperate with security agencies, I’m assuring you there will be no crime,” Omwa said.
“There are people who can reach a crime scene within the shortest time possible, and we’ve seen that work so much. We’ve just been in discussion with them so that they don’t overreact or do mob justice. But if they cooperate with police, we shall ensure crime is something of the past within Kisumu.”
Omwa, who also serves as Civilian Secretary for Kisumu Central Police Station, said transport operators have been working with MoGO to empower members through provision of motorbikes and tuk-tuks.
“Just last week we gave 100 logbooks to Kisumu Football Centre Group. As a team, we support MoGO so much to empower our members.”
Motea said MoGO is committed to giving back beyond business.
“People say when you see MoGO, you see them selling to boda boda riders. But today we came to give back to the community in a way to make sure there is fun.”
He added that road safety awareness must be part of the conversation.
“Number two, we are making sure the community around Kisumu gets this message. We want riders and drivers to be careful on the roads to reduce accidents.”
The event culminated in a free public viewing of the World Cup, dubbed the “Kisumu Dala World Cup Watch Party.”
“Whenever you go to a club, you have to buy soda, you have to pay entry fee. But for today, it’s free at the showground, courtesy of MoGO Industries,” Motea said.
Both police and community leaders agreed the forum must continue. Matheka said such interactions “bear fruits” because they build trust. Omwa said riders are often first responders and must be trained not to take the law into their own hands.
Motea concluded: “MoGO is giving back to community and community is giving back to MoGO. It’s a benefit to each other.”
Police, boda boda associations and MoGO said they will hold more joint forums focused on enhancing community policing and enhancing road safety awareness to reduce accidents in Kisumu County.
