22 stolen vehicles recovered as DCI targets car theft rings
Detectives said the operation was launched after several weeks of surveillance.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has arrested 28 people and recovered 22 stolen vehicles following a countrywide operation targeting the growing threat of motor vehicle theft.
Detectives said the operation was launched after several weeks of surveillance and intelligence work by the Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau.
Working closely with the Operation Action Team from the DCI Headquarters, officers identified criminal networks operating in Nairobi, Kiambu, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Embu, Machakos, Kajiado, Kisumu, Kakamega, Busia, and Bungoma.
The vehicles were recovered from different locations across these counties.
Some had already been sold to unsuspecting Kenyans, while others had been smuggled into Uganda and Tanzania.
According to the DCI, the syndicates behind the thefts used different tactics, including fake car hire arrangements, stealing from parking lots, robbery with violence, and carjacking.
Detectives found that the networks were made up of individuals with specific roles—some carried out the thefts, while others altered the identity of the vehicles to avoid detection.
One of the suspects, Julius Mutua John, was arrested in Joska after allegedly stealing a Toyota Allion.
His accomplice, George Nyakundi Ogoro, was also taken into custody. Police believe the two worked together in using car hire tricks to carry out their crimes.
Alphas Kimaiga Mogaka was described as an expert at disabling vehicle tracking systems, making it hard to trace stolen cars.
Simon Mugo Chege was said to specialise in wiping out vehicle details, while Raphael Oloo Kira, also known as Cease Fire, is accused of creating fake number plates and attaching them to stolen cars.
Detectives also raided a car yard in Kayole on April 8, 2025, where they arrested Lucy Wainoi Muriuki.
The DCI said stolen vehicles with tampered chassis numbers were found on the premises.
Investigators said she received payment for each car sold at the yard that had been stolen.
Others arrested include Francis Kamau Mburu, known by the alias Sadam, a dealer linked to stolen vehicles.
He was taken into custody along with Timothy Ndegwa Wangeci, alias Kirito, and Moses Mahehu Mugo, who are said to have broken into vehicles parked in public areas.
Investigators said Mugo had close ties to William Gushu Irungu and Gideon Mutugi Kibaata, known as Vaite, who were also arrested on similar charges.
Two more suspects believed to have worked together to steal vehicles from parking spaces were also taken into custody. In addition, an auctioneer was implicated for cooperating with syndicates operating within Nairobi.
"All apprehended suspects have been arraigned in different courts across the country to face charges related to motor vehicle theft, fraud, and other related offences," the agency said on Thursday.
DCI is now calling on Kenyans to remain alert and take steps to protect their vehicles.
These include installing anti-theft devices, verifying the identity of car hire clients, parking in well-guarded places, staying cautious while driving, and checking vehicle records before making any purchase.
"The National Police Service remains committed to eradicating motor vehicle theft and ensuring the safety of all Kenyans. We have intensified our intelligence-gathering efforts and are collaborating with regional partners to curb the cross-border trade of stolen vehicles," the DCI said.
The agency also asked members of the public to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through the toll-free numbers 999, 112, or #FichuaKwaDCI (0800 722 203).