Report Highlights Car Theft Trends in Kenya: Most Stolen Vehicles and Brands

A report by the Association of Kenya Insurers reveals that vehicles with ‘KD’ registration plates are most commonly stolen in Kenya, with Toyota being the top brand targeted. Declines in thefts show a slight improvement, but recovery rates remain low, emphasizing ongoing security concerns.

A recent report by the Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI) highlights a troubling trend in car thefts in Kenya, particularly targeting vehicles registered with plates starting with ‘KD’. In 2024, 327 vehicles were stolen, reflecting a decrease from 419 in 2023, yet the majority, 50.15%, bore ‘KD’ registration. Following ‘KD’, the other most frequently stolen plates included ‘KC’ at 35.17%, ‘KB’ at 10.40%, and ‘KA’ at 1.83%.

The report indicates that Toyota vehicles are at the highest risk of being stolen, accounting for 54.91% of incidents. Other brands commonly stolen include Isuzu (12.88%), Mazda (7.06%), Nissan (5.83%), and Mitsubishi (3.99%). The risk extends particularly to station wagons, with models such as the Toyota Fielder and Subaru Outback representing 67.80% of thefts. Additionally, thefts involved lorries (11.46%), saloons (6.81%), and pickups (3.72%).

Color also plays a significant role in theft trends, with white vehicles being the most stolen at 39.80%, followed by silver (16.72%) and black (15.38%). Most stolen vehicles had an insured value of less than Ksh1 million, with 26.07% valued between Ksh1 million and Ksh2 million, while 27.3% were valued above Ksh3 million. The most valuable vehicle stolen was a Mitsubishi lorry worth Ksh12.2 million.

The report notes that the theft of parts is the predominant form of theft at 54.28%, while vehicles stolen while parked constituted 31.91%. Hijackings accounted for 7.24% of cases. Despite a decline in thefts, recovery rates for stolen vehicles remain low, with only 15.92% recovered in 2024, though this shows an improvement over 2023’s recovery rate of 11.72%.

The National Police Service (NPS) acknowledges the ongoing issue of vehicle theft in Kenya, recording 1,687 cases in 2023, a rise from 1,459 in 2022. Police encourage vehicle owners to bolster security measures and stay alert, especially for those with high-risk vehicle models.

The AKI report underscores the critical issues surrounding car theft in Kenya, highlighting that vehicles registered with ‘KD’ plates and the Toyota brand are particularly vulnerable. While the overall number of thefts has declined, low recovery rates and the prevalence of specific models emphasize the need for enhanced vehicle security. Owners of high-risk vehicles, especially, are urged to remain vigilant and take preventive measures.

Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke