Jimal Rohosafi refutes claims of defrauding boda boda operators Ksh24M

Businessman Jimal Rohosafi has denied allegations that his company defrauded over 2,500 Nairobi boda boda operators of Ksh24 million.

The operators had paid deposits of Ksh9,500 each for electric motorbikes that were promised but had not been delivered months after the scheduled dates.

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The matter came to a head when the operators stormed the company’s offices on Thursday, October 9, 2025, expressing frustration over repeated delays and accusing the firm of misleading them.

One client, Kevin Ongwano, speaking to a local TV station on the same day, stated that he had paid the deposit but had yet to receive the motorbike, describing the situation as chaotic and calling for accountability from the company’s leadership.

He further narrated that the company had been using a “lipa mdogo mdogo” scheme, leaving clients in limbo for extended periods.

“I paid Ksh9,500 last month on the 5th, and I feel cheated. I was told the motorbike would be delivered within 24 hours, but since then, it has just been a cycle of promises that never materialised. What we want to say is that this company is now a crime scene. We need to acknowledge this, and the leader must come clean. The company has been using the ‘pay slowly’ tactic,” he said.

In response to the backlash, Rohosafi acknowledged a backlog of payments and deliveries in Nairobi, explaining that thousands of deposits had been made by customers awaiting their electric bikes.

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He clarified that the company had been expecting a shipment from its manufacturing partner in Syokimau, which only arrived recently.

He said arrangements were underway to clear the backlog, including customs clearance, registration, and production processes, and that additional manpower had been mobilised to expedite deliveries.

“Currently, we have a heavy backlog. In Nairobi alone, there is a backlog of 2,300 payments where people have deposited Sh. 9,500 and are waiting for their e-bikes. We were expecting the bikes to be cleared last week because our manufacturing partner in Syokimau was to deliver them, but the consignment only arrived this morning. We still need to complete customs clearance, register the bikes, and finalise production by next Wednesday,” the businessman said.

Rohosafi also emphasised that the company operates under a recognised microfinance framework in Kenya and stated that steps were being taken to ensure the remaining motorbikes are delivered to the affected operators.

He offered apologies for the delays and inconvenience caused to clients.

“We aim to clear the Nairobi backlog of around 2,136 bikes by Friday. Additional manpower has been mobilised at the manufacturing facility to speed up deliveries. Huduma Credit is a major microfinance company in Kenya, and we are confident in our operations. We apologise to clients who are unhappy with the delays and the inconvenience caused,” Jamal added.