Thieves Are Winning, Unless You Do This to Protect Your Car

Car theft remains a major concern in Nairobi and the entire Republic of Kenya, underlining the need for drivers to enhance their car security measures.

Recent data from insurers and the police show that the threat of car theft remains a reality, with some models, makes, and number plates favored by thieves.

Based on the latest report by the Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI), the number of vehicles stolen in 2024 stood at 327, a drop of 28% from 419 vehicles stolen in 2023, although the number of vehicles recovered stands at 15.92%, an improvement from 2023, but still a small percentage of those stolen.

Crime data from the National Police Service (NPS) and other sources also show that the crime rate is on the rise: 1,687 cases of vehicle theft were recorded in 2023, up from 1,459 in the previous year, showing that car thefts are not limited to those that are insured but also include those that are not.

Other directorates, such as the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), have confirmed that there has been a substantial increase in motor vehicle thefts since 2024, often involving syndicates that dismantle stolen cars for parts or export them illegally to neighbouring countries.

Patterns and Vehicle Targeting by Theft Numbers

According to AKI’s 2024 report, the patterns should give worry to vehicle owners.

Approximately 55% of all vehicle thefts are of Toyotas (the most common brand), and others include Isuzu – 12.88%, Mazda – 7.06%, and Nissan – 5.83%, respectively.

Station wagons accounted for 67.80% of thefts, followed by lorries (11.46%), saloons (6.81%), and pickups (3.72%).

Registration plates also matter: cars with plates starting with ‘KD’ represented half of all stolen vehicles, far above other series.

White cars were the most stolen by colour, at nearly 40%, followed by silver (16.72%) and black (15.38%).

The circumstances of theft vary: 54.28% involve parts being stolen, while 31.91% of cars were taken while parked, and 7.24% were stolen through hijacking scenarios, reminding drivers that theft doesn’t always mean a missing entire vehicle.

Also Read: Electric Vehicles Take Off in Kenya as Power Use Surges 188%

Security Habits to Minimize Risk

Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) cautions that, “To curb motor vehicle theft and enhance personal and vehicle security, the DCI urges Kenyans to install anti-theft devices, park in secure locations, verify car hire clients, be vigilant on the road, and verify vehicle documents.”

DCI recommends that drivers practice basic security habits by keeping doors locked, windows closed, and valuables out of sight to make cars less desirable to thieves.

Parking in well-lit, secure locations or garages is still vital.

Adding motion-sensitive lighting, CCTV cameras, or proximity to parking attendants also discourages opportunistic theft.

Advanced Anti-Theft Devices

As thieves keep upgrading their methods, like the relay attack on keyless cars, security professionals have now suggested various levels of security.

Visible wheel locks and pedal locks are a good deterrent.

Signal blockers or Faraday bags shield key fobs from signal interception by thieves to unlock cars without breaking a window.

GPS tracking devices significantly increase the chances of recovering stolen vehicles if they are taken.

Etching the vehicle identification number on windows also lowers the resale value of stolen vehicles, making theft less attractive.

Also Read: How To Register Inherited Vehicles On The NTSA Portal

Awareness and Police Cooperation

The police and investigators strongly appeal to all road users to exercise extreme caution when alighting from or boarding their vehicles and to report any suspicious behavior to the authorities instantly.

They also strongly advise against engaging armed carjackers, since one’s personal security should always be of prime importance compared to the security of property.

The meeting of the criminal genius and human complacency ensures that car theft is a highly sophisticated crime in Nairobi and in Kenya as a whole.

Although there was a decrease in the number of thefts among insured vehicles, the fact that the recovery rate is very low and that criminal gangs are still active ensures that, more than ever before, multi-layered security practices, ranging from locking doors to sophisticated immobilizers, are necessary to secure your vehicle.

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The Mercedes-Benz GLE350d That Was Alleged Stolen From A Garage In Spring Valley In Nairobi And Recovered In Kajiado. PHOTO/ File