At least 56,000 boda boda riders in Kisii County are poised to benefit from a digital platform that will help them to track their loan payment status after completing a training on financial literacy.
The riders who are distributed across 1086 stages were trained on how to use the new mobile application dubbed ‘Mogo App’ to track their daily repayments, which was previously difficult because of the long duration of payment.
Speaking to the press after the training with boda boda leaders from the nine sub-counties in a Kisii hotel, the County boda boda Chairman Jared Oirere applauded the asset financier for developing the application, saying the platform will solve one of the biggest challenges of not being able to keep track of the loan payment and the balance.
“This will minimize conflict with the lending companies, which sometimes leads to the repossession of the motorbikes,” he said.
The chairman appealed to the lending organizations to be more patient with the riders as they struggle to clear their loans and collaborate with the leadership to address any challenges arising.
He urged the boda boda riders to desist from using drugs, including illicit brews, to prevent road accidents; avoid defiling school-going girls; and refrain from installing noisy devices, which disrupt activities in health and learning institutions and other restricted areas.
Oirere also underscored the importance of the riders attending driving lessons for them to be conversant with road safety measures.
Kisii region Mogo Sales Manager Naftal Nyambane noted the training included how to restructure loans, why files accrue on loans, and the use of the ‘Mogo App.’
Nyambane urged the riders to only take loans when the need arises and sign loan agreements after reading and understanding them.
“The motorbikes provided by Mogo have trackers, which act as their security for tracing the motorbikes, and therefore, I urge the riders whose trackers are faulty to take them to our office for repair,” he noted.
Nyambane encouraged the riders to call the emergency number 0719089999 in case their motorbikes are stolen and also visit the office to review terms of payment when they are unable to pay for the loans.
Mogo’s Communications & Events Manager Sheila Nuni said the mobile application was developed to promote transparency with their clients so that they can be able to make payments seamlessly.
She cited lack of understanding of the agreements as one of the major challenges they face with their clients, especially when someone has an emergency and postpones reading the agreement.
Nuni added that the options of restructuring the loan include when someone is hospitalized and cannot continue paying the loan, the motorbike is under repair, or it has been impounded by the police, all of which are aimed at giving them more time to sort out the issues.
According to a recent report by Viffa Consult, boda operators earn an average of Sh11,000 per day, yet many struggle to save or meet household needs due to poor financial planning and unsustainable debt.
The report recommends integrating loan programmes with tailored financial education that addresses the diverse needs of operators.
While core training should focus on budgeting, saving, and managing business expenses, advanced modules on debt and credit management, savings and investment strategies, and pathways to formal business creation are also critical.
By Jane Naitore & Mercy Osongo
