Loan Firm Accused of Drugging Boda Boda Riders, Stealing Financed Motorcycles

There was tension in Ruiru, Kiambu County, after a group of boda boda riders stormed a loan company accused of stealing motorcycles from its clients.

The riders, most of them from Zimmerman and Kahawa West, said the company had been using dirty tricks to take back bikes that were already financed through loans.

According to the riders, several of their colleagues had fallen victim to attacks by unknown people who posed as passengers. 

They claimed that the attackers would drug the riders, steal their motorcycles, phones, and money, and later the stolen bikes would end up on sale at the same loan company.

One rider narrated how he was drugged by a man who had hired him for a short trip. When he regained consciousness, his motorcycle and personal items were gone. 

After reporting the case at Membly Police Station, he traced the bike’s tracker, which had been switched off in Mlolongo, Machakos County.

Shockingly, when he later visited the company’s premises, he saw the same motorcycle being prepared for sale.

Angered by the discovery, the riders mobilized others and stormed the company’s offices on Wednesday evening.

“These people we took loans from are pretending to be customers. They drug us, steal our bikes, and then sell them again,” said one of the victims, Samuel Oyaro. 

He added that one of his friends had gone through the same ordeal and lost his bike, phone, and money.

The group accused the loan firm of running a criminal racket using fake loan agreements to repossess stolen bikes and resell them to unsuspecting riders. 

They called on police to take immediate action and stop the company from continuing its alleged illegal activities.

Ruiru Sub-County Police Commander Maina Kibathi confirmed that complaints had been received and said officers raided the company’s premises following the reports. 

“We got a report that a stolen bike was found at this company. We came to confirm, and all motorcycles have been taken to the station for verification,” he said.

He added that investigations were ongoing to determine the real owners of the motorcycles. 

The riders were asked to present their documents at the station to help police confirm ownership and decide the next steps.

The incident has raised concern among boda boda operators, who are now urging authorities to investigate other loan firms suspected of using similar tactics to exploit hardworking riders.