28 arrested as police recover 22 stolen vehicles
Police officers have recovered at least 22 vehicles in a nationwide operation targeting motor vehicle thieves, car yard owners and their enablers.
In a statement on Thursday, May 8, 2025, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) stated that their officers, drawn from the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB), have arrested 28 people in connection with the car thefts.
“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has observed a significant rise in motor vehicle theft across Kenya since the beginning of 2024. This alarming trend has resulted in substantial losses for vehicle owners, negatively impacting the economy through increased insurance claims and unpaid loans held by financial institutions,” DCI stated.
The sleuths also revealed that motor vehicle thefts are conducted from parking lots, carjackings, robberies and through car hire scams.
Car theft syndicate
“In response to this growing security challenge, the DCI’s Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB) initiated a comprehensive research and analysis operation to identify and dismantle the criminal networks responsible for these thefts. The operation targeted high-risk counties, including Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Embu, Machakos, Kajiado, Nairobi, Kisumu, Kakamega, Busia, and Bungoma,” the sleuths noted.
“Collaborating with the DCI Headquarters’ Operation Action Team (OAT), the team arrested 28 suspects involved in motor vehicle theft syndicates and recovered 22 stolen vehicles, many of which had been sold to unsuspecting buyers within Kenya or smuggled to neighbouring countries, primarily Uganda and Tanzania.”
DCI observes that the arrests were done from the beginning of 2024 to date, and targeted the actual thieves, technicians vandalising car trackers, mechanics erasing registration details and car yard owners collaborating with the thieves.
“All apprehended suspects have been arraigned in various courts across the country to face charges related to motor vehicle theft, fraud, and related offences,” DCI said.
Exercise caution
Among the 28 people arrested, police revealed that eight stole the cars from parking lots and drove them to motor vehicle dealers, who would then liaise with fabricators and experts to deactivate the tracking systems and fabricate new number plates.
DCI urged vehicle owners to exercise caution when parking in unsafe areas and verify car hire clients before giving them vehicles.
“To curb motor vehicle theft and enhance personal and vehicle security, the DCI urges Kenyans to adopt the following measures: install Anti-Theft Devices, Park in Secure Locations, verify Car Hire Clients, be vigilant on the road, and verify vehicle documents,” police advised.
Author
Arnold Ngure
General reporter with a bias for crime reporting, human interest stories and tech. Reach out via: [email protected]
View all posts by Arnold Ngure
