Three arrested in Nairobi crackdown on vehicle theft syndicate

Arrest Illustration

An intelligence-led operation by the National Police Service (NPS) and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) led to the raid of several establishments suspected of operating as illegal car dismantling yards along Kagundo Road in Nairobi on April 8, 2025.

The operation was conducted as part of the ongoing crackdown on motor vehicle theft syndicates across the country.

Three people were arrested and are currently in custody pending processing following the raid.

Several auto parts were recovered in the process.

“During the operation, the officers recovered assorted number plates, motor vehicle parts, metal-cutting equipment, and three vehicles with altered chassis numbers. One additional vehicle with suspected fake number plates was intercepted along Kangundo Road,” Police stated.

“All the four vehicles were documented and towed to DCI Headquarters for further forensic verification.”

The security agencies commended efforts made by the public in supporting the fight against motor vehicle theft while urging them to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the police.

Days earlier, detectives launched a crackdown aimed at arresting four suspects behind a syndicate where gangs behind a series of thefts of motor vehicles have been on the prowl.

Police claimed the four specialized in erasing and altering chassis numbers of stolen vehicles, panel beating, riveting and producing fake number plates, as well as prefabrication and identity change on the mirrors.

In another case, detectives nabbed one of the suspects in Nairobi, during which they recovered a stolen vehicle.

Further investigative interviews with the suspect paved the way to the swift arrest of three additional suspects.

Police say cases of stolen motor vehicles have been on the rise.

Some are yet to be solved. Some of the stolen cars are sold to unsuspecting buyers locally and in neighboring countries.

Thousands of cars are stolen annually, according to police statistics.

Up to 1,600 cases of car theft and spare parts were reported in 2024 alone.

Stealing a motor vehicle in Kenya is a serious offense under Section 278A of the Penal Code, punishable by up to seven years of imprisonment.

Individuals in violation of Section 279C that pertains motor vehicle parts theft risk significant penalties including imprisonment sentences.