Boda Boda Riders Urged to Separate Daily Earnings From Loan Repayments

By Njeri Irungu

More than 800 boda boda riders in Narok County have been urged to strengthen their financial management skills as lenders and industry representatives seek to reduce loan repayment challenges among motorcycle operators.

The riders received financial literacy training on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, focusing on budgeting, cash-flow management, understanding credit agreements and planning for regular loan repayments.

The training, organised by Mogo Kenya in partnership with the Boda Boda Association of Kenya (BAK), is part of a wider programme targeting motorcycle operators in different parts of the country.

Financial management has become increasingly important in the boda boda sector, where riders receive and spend income on a daily basis while also meeting household expenses and servicing loans used to acquire their motorcycles.

Narok County Boda Boda Chairman said riders can easily find themselves unable to meet repayment obligations when money intended for loan instalments is used to address immediate household needs.

“A boda boda rider earns and spends money every day, so without proper planning it is easy to use money meant for a loan repayment on other immediate needs,” he said.

He encouraged riders to set aside money for their financial obligations while ensuring they continue meeting the needs of their families.

The riders were also advised to understand the terms and costs of financing before taking loans and to seek guidance from their financiers whenever their income is affected.

Mogo Events and Community Manager Sheila Wangari said the motorcycle should be viewed as an income-generating asset whose productivity depends on responsible financial management.

“Behind every motorcycle we finance is a person who depends on that motorcycle to earn a living. It is their workplace, their business and, in many cases, the income that supports an entire family,” Wangari said.

She said understanding the cost of credit and planning for repayments could help riders keep their motorcycles productive while avoiding financial instability.

Wangari further urged riders experiencing difficult periods to contact their financiers early rather than waiting until missed payments accumulate.

“When a rider experiences a difficult month, the most important thing is not to remain silent. Speaking to the financier early creates an opportunity to understand the available options before a temporary setback becomes a bigger problem,” she said.

BAK President Kevin Mubadi said financial literacy would help riders make informed decisions about motorcycle ownership and credit while protecting the livelihoods that depend on the sector.

“Our members depend on their motorcycles every day to earn a living and support their families. It is therefore important that they understand the financial commitments that come with motorcycle ownership and know what steps to take when they encounter difficulties,” Mubadi said.

Industry estimates show that about 2.4 million motorcycles are in use in Kenya, with 68.4 per cent reportedly financed through digital and asset-based credit, underscoring the role of financing in enabling motorcycle ownership.

The boda boda sector is also estimated to support more than 2.5 million jobs and generate about Sh660 billion annually, while contributing approximately 4.4 per cent of Kenya's GDP.

The Narok training is part of financial literacy sessions previously conducted by Mogo Kenya and BAK in counties across Nyanza, Mt Kenya, Western, Eastern and Rift Valley regions.