One Arrested as Three Stolen Motorbikes Recovered in Migori County
This incident underlines the challenges boda boda riders face in Migori County, when theft of motorcycles and attacks on operators seem to increase day by day.
Leaders and the police are now focusing on community policing projects, sharing intelligence information, and putting in place mechanisms for quick reactions to help riders protect themselves and their property. Photo/courtesy.
By Thomas Pkiror
The recovered motorcycles were stolen three months ago. Boda boda riders in Migori County have retrieved three motorbikes that were stolen three months ago. In what is seen as a major breakthrough in the fight against theft in the region, two of the stolen bikes were retrieved in Suna West, while the third was recovered in God Kachalo Ward in Nyatike Sub-County.
According to Benard Ochola, the chairperson of the God Kweru boda boda riders’ group, the recovery followed the arrest of a suspect trying to sell one of the stolen motorcycles in Nyatike. “We were able to apprehend the individual as he tried to offload one of the motorbikes. He has since been handed over to the police, who are now investigating the matter,” said Ochola.
Recovery efforts have received a boost from the local boda boda leadership. Henry Otieno, chairperson of Suna Lower boda boda riders’ group, and Reagan Okoth, Nyatike Sub-County boda boda riders’ chairperson, pointed out that the number of criminals targeting riders in the area has increased.
Okoth pointed out the risks facing the boda boda operators, citing that the thefts besides causing financial losses have also claimed lives. “Several riders have lost their lives while trying to protect their motorcycles from armed assailants,” he said. “The rising insecurity poses a serious threat to our livelihoods.”
Both Okoth and Otieno called for closer collaboration between law enforcement agencies and operators of the boda boda motorcycles to rein in the activities of criminal gangs operating in the county. “The police must work hand in hand with the riders to make sure these gangs are dismantled, and such crimes are prevented in the future,” Okoth urged.
The motorcycles recovered will be returned to the owners once investigations by police are over, bringing some relief to the affected riders who have been going through months of financial and emotional strain.
This incident underlines the challenges boda boda riders face in Migori County, when theft of motorcycles and attacks on operators seem to increase day by day. Leaders and the police are now focusing on community policing projects, sharing intelligence information, and putting in place mechanisms for quick reactions to help riders protect themselves and their property.
As the investigations go on, authorities have assured the public that other suspects linked to the theft and the criminal gangs in the region will be brought to book. Locals and boda boda riders are optimistic that increased cooperation between operators and police will see reduced crime and a return of safety across Migori County. The arrest and recovery of the stolen motorbikes signal a positive step toward improving security for boda boda operators by underlining the critical role of vigilance in the community and prompt reporting to fight crime.
About Author
