Wamae: Stolen phone markets in Uganda, Rwanda, and fuel crime in Kenya
Former Roots Party deputy presidential candidate Justina Wamae has said phone theft in Kenya will continue rising as long as there is a ready market for stolen devices in neighbouring countries.
In a statement shared on her X account on Sunday, December 21, 2025, Wamae argued that stolen phones are quickly moved across borders to Uganda and Rwanda, making the crime profitable and difficult to stop. She said this cross-border demand is encouraging criminals to keep targeting Kenyans.
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“As long as there’s a ready market for stolen phones in Uganda and Rwanda, phone theft will not end soon in Kenya,” Wamae stated.
She added that the situation calls for fresh leadership and new thinking in the region to address the problem. According to her, failure to deal with the issue is affecting the safety and well-being of Kenyans.
Mobile phone theft has become one of the most common crimes in Kenyan towns and cities. Many victims report being attacked or tricked in broad daylight, especially in busy areas such as streets, public transport stages and marketplaces. Phones are often stolen within seconds and disappear into organised criminal networks.
Security experts say most stolen phones are sold cheaply after being altered to avoid tracking. Some are reset or have their identifying details changed before being resold locally or smuggled to other East African countries. This has made it harder for police to trace the devices and return them to owners.
Crowded social events have also become major targets for phone thieves. Concerts, festivals and public celebrations attract criminals who take advantage of large crowds and distracted revellers. Many Kenyans have shared stories of losing phones while attending concerts or large gatherings.
Police have made several arrests linked to phone theft syndicates and continue to recover stolen devices during operations.
