The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has sounded the alarm over a sharp rise in motor vehicle theft cases reported across Kenya since the beginning of the year.
According to the investigations agency, this surge has resulted in heavy financial losses for vehicle owners and caused a ripple effect on the economy through increased insurance claims and a rise in non-performing loans from financial institutions.
In a statement, the DCI revealed that criminals have been deploying a variety of tactics to carry out these thefts. These include stealing vehicles from parking lots, misusing car hire services, staging robberies with violence, and engaging in carjacking incidents.
In response to the growing menace, DCI boss Mohamed Amin announced that the agency’s Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) launched a comprehensive research and enforcement operation aimed at breaking up the criminal networks behind the thefts.
The operation, he noted, has been concentrated in high-risk counties such as Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Embu, Machakos, Kajiado, Nairobi, Kisumu, Kakamega, Busia, and Bungoma.
“Collaborating with the DCI Headquarters’ Operations Action Team (OAT), the team arrested 28 suspects involved in motor vehicle theft and recovered 22 stolen vehicles,” Amin stated.
He further revealed that many of the recovered vehicles had either been sold to unsuspecting buyers within the country or smuggled across the border, particularly into neighbouring Uganda and Tanzania.
“All suspects have been arraigned in various courts across the country to face charges related to vehicle theft, fraud, and related offences,” said the DCI boss.
To help curb the escalating cases, Amin called on members of the public to remain vigilant and take precautionary measures to safeguard their vehicles.
These include installing reliable anti-theft devices, parking in secure locations, and verifying both vehicle documents and the credentials of car hire clients.
He also reaffirmed the National Police Service’s commitment to cracking down on vehicle theft and ensuring the safety of all citizens.
“We have enhanced intelligence-gathering efforts and are collaborating with regional partners to curb cross-border movement of stolen vehicles,” he added.
The DCI urged the public to support law enforcement agencies in bolstering crime prevention efforts and assisting in the apprehension of suspects and recovery of stolen vehicles.
“The public is encouraged to cooperate by providing timely information to assist in apprehending criminals and recovering stolen property by contacting the nearest police station or use our toll-free lines: 999, 112, or #FichuaKwaDCIU (0800-722-203),” the statement concluded.
Under Kenyan law, the offence of stealing a motor vehicle, as defined by the Traffic Act (Cap. 403), carries a penalty of up to seven years’ imprisonment upon conviction.
