The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has arrested 28 suspects and recovered 22 stolen vehicles as the crackdown on motor vehicle theft continues across the country.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the DCI revealed that its Crime Research and Intelligence Bureau (CRIB), in collaboration with the Operations Action Team (OAT), nabbed the suspects in a sweeping operation targeting high-risk counties.
The said areas include Nyeri, Kirinyaga, Kiambu, Embu, Machakos, Kajiado, Nairobi, Kisumu, Kakamega, Busia, and Bungoma counties, which have been flagged as hotspots for rising incidents of motor vehicle theft.
The operation was aimed at identifying and dismantling sophisticated car theft syndicates.
“We have witnessed a significant rise in vehicle theft since the beginning of 2024. This disturbing trend has caused immense losses to car owners and continues to affect our economy through increased insurance claims and non-performing car loans,” DCI stated.
According to detectives, the suspects were involved in various forms of car theft, including car hire scams, theft from parking lots, robbery with violence, and carjackings.
Further investigations showed that some of the recovered vehicles had already been sold to unsuspecting buyers in the country, while others were smuggled across borders into Uganda and Tanzania.
The suspects have since been arraigned in courts across the country to face charges related to vehicle theft, fraud, and related offences.
While urging the public to stay vigilant to avoid falling victim to such crimes, the DCI also advised safety measures such as installing certified anti-theft devices, parking in secure and well-lit areas and verifying the identity of car hire clients.
“The public must remain vigilant. Simple preventive measures can go a long way in deterring these criminal networks,” warned the DCI.
“We are working closely with regional law enforcement agencies to end this menace. Our goal is to ensure the safety of all Kenyans and hold those responsible accountable.”
Below is the list of some of the suspects arrested in the crackdown:
- JULIUS MUFUA JOHN was arrested in Joska after stealing a Toyota Allion KDR 722 K.
- GEORGE NYAKUNDI OGORO. He is involved in the theft of motor vehicles through a car hire scheme. He collaborates with Suspect No. I
- ALPHAS KIMAIGA MOGAKA. He is an expert at removing car trackers from stolen vehicles.
- SIMON MUGO CHEGE. He is an expert at erasing a car’s identity. He collaborates with a car theft syndicate, assisting them in removing any trace of the vehicle’s original identity.
- RAPHAEL OLOO KIRA alias Cease Fire. He fabricates counterfeit car number plates and affixes them to stolen vehicles after removing their original, legitimate plates.
- LUCY WAINOI MURIUKI. She manages the PALS CAR yard in Kayole. On April 8, 2025, a team raided the yard, where stolen vehicles’ chassis numbers had been altered and put up for sale to unsuspecting buyers. She receives a commission for each vehicle sold. During the raid, the team recovered several vehicles.
- FRANCIS KAMAU MBURU alias SADAM. He is a dealer in stolen motor vehicles.
- TIMOTHY NDEGWA WANGECI alias KIRITHO. He is actively involved in the theft of motor vehicles.
- MOSES MAHEHU MUGO. He is actively involved in vehicle theft from parking lots, using forced entry methods. He collaborates with others who remain at large.
- WILLIAM GUSHU IRUNGU. He is actively engaged in stealing vehicles from parking lots through forced entry. He collaborates with Gideon Kibaata, also known as Vaite.
- GIDEON MUTUGI KIBAATA alias VAITE. He is actively engaged in vehicle theft from parking lots using forced entry. He collaborates with William Gushu Irungu
- EMMANUEL MASINGA KANANI. He is a member of a car theft syndicate, actively involved in stealing vehicles from parking lots. He collaborates with John Gituthu Mwangi in executing these thefts.
- JOHN GITUTHU MWANGI BAPTIST. He is an active member of a car theft syndicate, working alongside Emmanuel Masinga to steal vehicles from parking lots.
- JOEL AGUTU OMOLLO. He operates in Thika as a dealer of stolen motor vehicles.
- JOSEPH KARIUKI ZACHARY. He is a dealer in stolen vehicles, is based in Nyeri town.
- MOSES ADEGU KISA. He was arrested in Kakamega while in possession of a stolen motor vehicle, which had been reported missing in Nyeri County.
- FREDRICK OTIENO OTUOMA. He is a dealer of stolen motor vehicles in Kisumu.
- SAMUEL WAFULA SIRENGO. He operates in Thika, Kiambu County, dealing in stolen vehicles.
- WILFRED OMBUI NYABOGA. He is a dealer of stolen vehicles in Kisumu County.
- DAVID OGEGA GORI. He is a dealer of stolen motor vehicles in Kakamega.
- PAUL NYAEMA NYALIK. He is a dealer in stolen motor vehicles in Kisumu.
- OBADIAH OBONYO MAMWACHAID NUMBER. He is a dealer of stolen motor vehicles in Kisumu.
- JOHN KANJA WAHOME. Operating from Kariobangi, he alters the chassis number of the stolen vehicles.
CRACKDOWN ON MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT
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… pic.twitter.com/gfVpEPT1pb— DCI KENYA (@DCI_Kenya) May 8, 2025
