KISUMU, 7th March 2026 -In a major push to reduce the high number of deaths and injuries caused by road traffic accidents, Mogo Kenya, East Africa’s leading vehicle and smartphone financier, in partnership with the Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya (BAK), has trained over 800 boda boda riders in Kisumu County on road safety and financial protection.
The boda boda sector remains a key pillar of Kenya’s economy, generating an estimated Sh660 billion annually and contributing about 4.4 percent of the country’s GDP. The industry directly employs over 2.5 million people, providing vital income for families and communities across the country.
The training forum, held at the Nyakach Enterprise Development Centre in Pap Onditi on Friday, March 6th, brought together riders from across Nyakach Sub-County. The session focused on promoting safer riding practices, adherence to traffic rules, and greater awareness of insurance options to help riders manage medical costs in the event of accidents. It also addressed broader issues affecting the sector, including economic empowerment through SACCOs, pension savings awareness, social protection, and behavioural change.
The initiative comes against a backdrop of grim national statistics. According to data from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), Kenya records an average of 4,000 road accident fatalities annually. Boda boda riders and their passengers, together with pedestrians, account for over 65 per cent of these deaths.
In some counties, fatalities go unreported, with estimates suggesting the actual number could be three to four times higher, meaning road traffic deaths may reach 12,000 or more each year, alongside thousands of injuries. Beyond the human toll, road crashes have a significant economic impact, costing Kenya an estimated 5 percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP), equivalent to over Sh450 billion annually.
Kisumu is among the counties with the highest number of traffic fatalities in the country, alongside Nairobi, Kiambu, Nakuru, Machakos, Kakamega, Makueni, and Kericho. NTSA data shows that Kisumu accounts for about 3 percent of all fatal road crashes in Kenya, underlining the need for targeted interventions like this training.
Rider Sustainability
Speaking during the training, Rebecca Ngige, Public Relations Manager at Mogo Kenya, emphasised that the initiative reflects the company’s commitment to supporting the well-being and sustainability of the boda boda sector.
“Boda boda riders play a critical role in Kenya’s economy and in connecting communities to opportunities. At Mogo, we have supported many riders to access motorcycles and smartphones through affordable financing so they can participate in the digital economy and improve their livelihoods,” said Ms Ngige.
However, she noted that these gains are often fragile. “Road accidents often wipe out these gains due to the high cost of treatment and lost income. That is why initiatives such as this training are important to equip riders with knowledge on safe riding and financial protection,” she stated.
Ngige added that improving road safety among riders not only protects lives but also helps ensure that operators can continue earning and supporting their families. She also urged riders to utilise Mogo’s services to protect their assets, specifically highlighting the importance of motorcycle trackers.
“We are asking the boda boda sector to ensure that trackers are on their bikes and they are active. Because it increases the chances of recovering a bike when it is stolen by up to 98 per cent,” she explained, inviting riders to visit their local branch in Katito town for checks.
Call for Responsibility
Kevin Mubadi, National Chairman of the Boda Boda Safety Association of Kenya (BAK), expressed gratitude for the partnership, noting that many of their members depend entirely on the sector for their livelihoods, yet road crashes continue to claim lives and cause serious injuries.
“Many of our members depend entirely on this sector for their livelihoods, yet road crashes continue to claim lives and cause serious injuries. Through partnerships such as this one with Mogo Kenya, we are educating riders on the importance of observing traffic rules, riding responsibly, and planning for their financial future,” said Mr. Mubadi.
The plan prioritises training road users, including boda boda riders, as a key strategy to reduce road deaths and serious injuries by 50 percent over the next four years, in line with the UN Second Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021–2031. “I thank God that we have partnered with them to sensitise our people of boda boda on matters of road safety. This is a very important issue in the sector,” Mubadi said.
Financial Security
Rose Kwena, CEO of the Kenya National Entrepreneur Savings Trust (K-Nest), addressed the economic empowerment component of the training. She explained that K-Nest, a pension fund established by the government, is designed to help Kenyans in the informal sector, such as boda boda riders who have historically been left out of traditional pension schemes.
She outlined a dual savings model tailored to the needs of riders- the pension which is a long term saving.
“These Kenyans also have needs every day. Which means they have 30 percent of their income which they can access at any time without any problem to help them fulfil their needs. And 70 percent of their income which they can access when they can’t find work,” Ms Kwena explained.
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