A financial literacy program targeting boda boda operators was launched in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, as part of efforts to improve loan awareness, repayment transparency, and motorcycle security among riders.
The initiative brought together boda boda operators’ leaders from across Eldoret, with discussions focusing on understanding loan terms, interest rates, repayment progress, and responsible borrowing.
Organizers said the program is designed to guide riders before taking loans, during repayment, and at completion to reduce misunderstandings that often arise from rushed borrowing decisions.
Speaking to the media, MOGO Community and Events Manager Sheila Wangare said the program was aimed at addressing information gaps that leave borrowers vulnerable.
“Many people come to our offices in urgent need of money and end up signing documents without fully understanding what they are committing to. This initiative is about ensuring customers understand loan terms, interest rates, and their repayment progress so they can complete their loans on time,” she said.
She added that the MOGO app enables riders to track payments and outstanding balances, improving transparency and reducing disputes.
Calvins Owuor, in charge of debt collection in the Western Region, said the company was promoting cooperation rather than confrontation in loan recovery.
“Debt collection should not make customers feel harassed or frustrated. We must work together as a family,” he said.
Owuor emphasized that GPS trackers installed on motorcycles are for security purposes only, noting that “the GPS is not meant to switch off the bike but to help recover it in case of theft.”
He urged riders to respond promptly when notified of GPS signal issues, saying repairs are done free of charge.
Owuor also said motorcycle theft often results from weak security measures by owners, stressing that safeguarding bikes is a shared responsibility between riders and financiers. He cited instances in Eldoret where stolen motorcycles were recovered due to active GPS tracking.
Boda boda operators welcomed the program, saying it addressed long-standing concerns. James Onsando, vice chairman of the Boda Boda Association in Uasin Gishu County and a loan beneficiary, said riders have often struggled to clearly understand their exact loan balances and repayment status.
He noted that the mobile app has simplified access to information, reducing confusion and saving time.
Onsando added that the financial literacy sessions encouraged riders to develop saving habits alongside their daily work and said flexible repayment plans make motorcycle ownership more attainable for riders who cannot afford to buy bikes outright.
The programme, which has previously been conducted in other regions, is expected to be rolled out to additional counties, targeting boda boda leadership structures as a way of reaching riders at the grassroots level.program,
By Fredrick Maritim & Ekuwam Sylvester
