Digital innovations key in combating Kenya’s rising motor vehicle, boda boda theft crisis

Imagine working tirelessly for months or even years, saving every shilling from your modest income to buy a car or motorcycle with the aim of starting a transport business. Then, just after acquiring the vehicle, whether through cash or asset financing, it is stolen without a trace, leaving behind only bitterness, loss and shattered hopes.

For many Kenyans, especially those in the informal transport sector, owning a car or motorcycle is not just a convenience but a lifeline. It opens up opportunities, supports families and offers the promise of financial independence. But when that vehicle is stolen, all that hard work goes down the drain, and livelihoods are thrown off track.

This is the harsh reality facing thousands across the country, as cases of vehicle and motorcycle theft continue to rise. These crimes rob families of their livelihoods and the economy of millions in lost revenue and productivity. And with low recovery rates, the emotional and financial toll only deepens.

According to the 2025 Kenya National Economic Survey, over 7,000 cases of vehicle and motorcycle theft were reported in the last five years. While more than 6,900 suspects were arrested during that period, fewer than 40 convictions were secured. This disparity underscores the complexity of the challenge and highlights the need for broader solutions that go beyond arrests and into prevention, innovation and collaboration.

The Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI) recently reported that 419 motor vehicles were stolen in 2023 and more than 330 in 2024. The forms of theft vary, from stolen parts and vehicles taken from parking lots to carjackings.

One of the most high-profile thefts involved a Mitsubishi lorry worth Ksh.12.2 million. More than 27 per cent of all vehicles stolen last year, according to the AKI report, were valued above Ksh.3 million, indicating that criminals are targeting high-value assets, often with the backing of well-organised syndicates.

The police have identified Nairobi, Kiambu, Machakos, Nyeri, Embu, Kirinyaga, Kisumu, Kakamega, Busia and Bungoma Counties as hotspots for vehicle theft. The recovery rates, however,  remain low, with only about 15 per cent of stolen vehicles being recovered.

Once stolen, these vehicles are typically either sold to unsuspecting buyers within Kenya or smuggled across borders.

Motorcycles are equally vulnerable. In 2024 alone, it is estimated that more than 10,000 motorcycles were stolen. The boda boda sector, which employs millions of young people across the country, has been particularly hard-hit.

Data from the National Crime Research Centre shows that crimes committed against riders include theft of motorcycles and parts, robbery, assault, fraud, and even murder. The victims are not only riders and passengers but also ordinary citizens and occasionally law enforcement officers.

While these challenges may seem overwhelming, they also present an opportunity for innovation and proactive intervention. One promising solution is SAKA, Kenya’s first digital public database for stolen vehicles and motorcycles.

Developed by Mogo, a leading asset financing company, SAKA allows users to report and verify stolen vehicles in real time. This helps protect buyers from unknowingly purchasing stolen property and provides law enforcement with actionable data to aid in recovery.

The platform is particularly valuable for the boda boda and matatu sectors, which together support over three million livelihoods. With real-time verification, a buyer can quickly check a vehicle’s status before completing a transaction. This helps reduce the circulation of stolen property and deters criminal networks.

But digital platforms like SAKA cannot work in isolation. Tackling motor vehicle and motorcycle theft requires collective effort. Insurers, financiers, transport operators, law enforcement and members of the public all have a role to play. Embracing innovation, reporting thefts, verifying vehicle history, and fostering a culture of vigilance are all crucial steps.

In an era of digital transformation, we now have the tools to protect livelihoods, restore trust, and secure the future of Kenya’s transport sector. It is time to work together, act decisively, and ensure that no Kenyan’s hard-earned investment is left vulnerable to crime.

The writer is Deputy Country Manager, Mogo.