The Boba Boda sector in Kenya has for long been painted negatively among members of the public - with the highlight being the Forest Road incident that generated national uproar.
However, it is not always the case that players in the sector ride on recklessness and impunity. Some Boda Boda groups have stood out as they engage in noble activities to help their community with the challenges they are facing.
From owning real estate companies to offering credit facilities to Kenyans, several riders have amassed wealth for themselves through these initiatives.
Here are four groups in the country that are running multi-million ventures through various initiatives.
1. Nanyuki Boda Boda Sacco
In 2021, little known Nanyuki Boda Boda Sacco (NABOSA) made headlines as it was revealed that the group had built houses worth Ksh150,000,000 through their savings initiative.
The group was founded in 2011 and the members decided to start a scheme where they would deposit Ksh50 daily. Through lobbying, the SACCO now has over 120 riders and runs the multi-million real estate empire.
During a past interview, officials from the group revealed that members are the main target of the project as they wanted to provide decent housing for the riders and their families. Additionally, members of the public were allowed to occupy the houses with bedsitters going for Ksh700,000.
“If, for instance, a member will have saved Kshh500,000 with Nabosa Housing Sacco by December, he will have an easy time paying the balance of Ksh200,000 in five years,” Patrick Withaka, the chairman stated then.
Their initiative has received recognition from government officials who have praised the group for its outstanding income-generating projects. While launching the nationwide Boda Boda crackdown on March 9, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i asked other riders to emulate the group.
2. Vihiga Boda Boda limited
Inspired by other groups that ventured into the real estate industry, 150 groups of Boda Boda merged to form the Vihiga Boda Boda Investment Ltd in 2019 and has over 5,000 members.
Through their mandatory weekly savings plan of Ksh500 as a minimum, the group has been able to save over Ksh30 million in the last two years.
The group chairman, Franklin Muchile in December 2021 stated that the group's savings scheme was beneficial to the group as they aimed to inculcate discipline among their members. He added that they plan to offer credit to their members so as to grow their assets before starting a real estate project and establishing a driving school.
"Other lending institutions charge their facilities highly. For us, the only requirement is for one to be an active member of a group. We are now focused on buying land and establishing a driving school," he stated.
3. Kianjahi Boda Boda Group
With the aim of improving the livelihoods of their families and addressing housing challenges in Nakuru County, 10 riders from the county formed the Kianjahi group in 2015.
Before building 25 rental units valued at over Ksh8 million, the group started a savings plan to encourage their members, largely comprising of youth in their 20s, to develop financial discipline.
The houses were mostly sold to their members at Ksh700,000 even as the venture attracted other riders to join the group. The Nakuru-based SACCO has over 130 members and has bought other parcels in the land to build more houses.
Through having assets, the group vice-chair Peter Kariuki disclosed that they were able to access credit as many financial institutions had faith in them.
“We heavily fine those who fail to attend the weekly meetings for no good reasons. This has helped us maintain high discipline which is essential for our growth,” he stated.
4. Kitengela Riders New Vision Success Grou
By saving Ksh100 daily, the Kitengela Riders New Vision Success Group has been able to raise a Ksh3,000,000 fund pool to enable members to access credit and help their families.
The group was started by five members and now has over 21 riders. After raising the money, they opted to buy a two-acre parcel of land where they do farming projects.
Chairman Evans Odari revealed that they started the group to encourage their members from joining bad groups and engaging in crime. He disclosed that they also offer credit to youth to buy motorcycles even as they continue with their anti-crime campaign.
Apart from the four groups, there are other groups that have transformed their communities through noble initiatives. In 2020 at the height of the pandemic, Dagoretti Boba Boda riders started an initiative to take drugs to community members suffering from chronic diseases, given the restrictions that were put by the government over the pandemic.
On the other hand, the West Pokot Women Boda Boda group also formed a group of female riders to offer rides to girls in the area with the aim of safeguarding the school-going teens from engaging in pre-marital relationships.
