Published on March 26, 2025 by Agencies for Kenya Online News
Last Updated on 1 year by Agencies for Kenya Online News
Watu, a pan-African asset company, has launched a nationwide initiative to install and repair GPS trackers on motorbikes to curb rampant theft, securing the livelihoods of thousands of boda boda riders in Kenya.
Boda bodas (motorcycle taxis) are a cornerstone of Kenya’s transport sector, providing employment to over 1.2 million riders and facilitating last mile connectivity and rural mobility. However, rampant motorbike theft threatens this essential industry, limiting economic stability for riders and small businesses. Watu’s initiative aims to address this challenge by integrating technology-driven security solutions.
“Similar to most motorcycle-dependent African economies, Kenya’s boda boda sector plays a vital role in urban mobility. Watu’s initiative to safeguard customers’ assets mirrors global trends in leveraging technology to improve transport security and financial inclusion,” Watu Head of Commercial Chris Rumenda said while speaking during the issuance of logbooks to customers.
The initiative aims to safeguard customers’ assets and targets current customers and those who have completed their loan repayments. Watu has also started issuing logbooks to customers who have fully repaid their motorbike loans.
“We are proactively facilitating the logbook collection process to ensure full ownership for our customers. We aim to ensure that all customers who have completed their loan repayments receive their logbooks, strengthening their financial independence.”
As Kenya’s leading digital asset financing company, Watu empowers customers with mobility (two- and three-wheeler motorbikes) and connectivity (smartphones and other mobile devices). Watu supports customers beyond asset acquisition, reinforcing its commitment to long-term customer success.
The company has launched a nationwide campaign to distribute over 70,000 uncollected logbooks. Over the past two weeks, Watu has been to Malindi and Nakuru City, issuing logbooks to customers. Many customers have completed their payments but have not picked up their documents, limiting their ability to use motorcycles as collateral for future financial needs.
With a combination of GPS tracking and swift police response, Watu and law enforcement agencies have disrupted cross-border syndicates in the Kenyan coastal region and counties, including Kilifi, Taita Taveta, and Mombasa City County, thereby enhancing customer security.
Since 2015, Watu has financed over 500,000 motorbikes, tuk-tuks (three-wheelers), and electric bikes in Kenya. In the connectivity market, Watu has provided financing for over 1.2 million smartphones in Kenya since 2022, underscoring the company’s catalytic role in democratizing smartphone access across Africa.
The company has funded customers to purchase over 1.9 million devices continent-wide across all its African markets. Watu plans to finance the acquisition of 10,000 electric motorbikes before 2030 as part of
The event aligns with Watu’s broader efforts to support boda boda riders beyond financing by ensuring full ownership of their assets and access to essential maintenance services.
