Bodaboda operators in Mombasa County will be registered in a bid to curb insecurity following an increase in attacks by criminals using motorbikes.
The riders who formed an association conducted elections to pick officials for the association, which will ensure that every rider in the county is registered.
The bodaboda riders said the county government would list all their names and get relevant details and documents, as well as those of their owners.
Mombasa County Commissioner Maalim Mohamed welcomed the move by the operators, saying it will help in the fight against crime in the county, as it will make it easy to identify criminals whenever a crime occurs.
Maalim said M-Pesa shops and other businesses especially in Likoni, Nyali and Changamwe have been targeted by armed assailants using motorbikes.
“We will get details of each motorbike, where it is operating, who bought it and who the rider is. This is commendable and we are encouraged to have this cooperation from the community as well,” said Maalim.
Abdi Suleiman, one of the bodaboda riders said they are determined to rid their business of criminals.
“Although bodabodas are creating employment for many people especially the youth in the county and boosting transport, they should not be used to commit crimes,” said Suleiman.
Last week, armed gangsters using motorbikes stormed M-Pesa shops and a petrol station in Likoni, where a woman and a child were shot during the incidents.