Places You’re Likely to Have Your Car Stolen in Kenya

Upon exiting a Nairobi supermarket, a man discovered that his vehicle was not in the same parking space where he had left it.

He even went as far as looking in his pockets during the ensuing confusion, but all he found were the keys.

He collapsed in the parking lot and was taken to the hospital right away. When he regained consciousness, he was unable to explain how his vehicle had vanished from the parking lot.

The vehicle was taken by two men, according to the mall’s security camera.

The police claim that despite their best efforts, car thieves persist because they can quickly earn money off of stolen vehicles.

Although car thieves can be found across the country, they thrive in settings where it is difficult to detect their actions.

Here are a few locations in Kenya where you might lose your vehicle.

Public and residential parking

Many victims have recorded statements about how they woke up to find their cars had vanished from the assigned parking space.

The majority of the time, this occurs at residences with parking spaces outside the main entrance of a particular court.

In neighborhoods like Umoja in Nairobi’s Eastlands, this is typical.

Thieves scout for these places and choose their victim by examining the security measures at the entrance. They find it simpler the more exits there are inside the gated community.

Security experts think that when a vehicle is stolen while it is parked, it most often results from collusion between the guards and the thieves.

When the car’s windows are tinted and the owner is known to ignore guards when entering or exiting the estate, it is simpler.

The guards will probably justify themselves by claiming that he does not wave at people and that his car is completely tinted. Thus, it is difficult to determine who was inside.

Church

Because there are so many potential targets here, this is an ideal location for thieves.

The guards manning the parking lot may not recall everyone who entered driving.

Malls and events

There are many reports of Kenyans leaving supermarkets only to discover that their vehicles are missing from the parking lot.

Funerals and weddings

Such family gatherings are popular targets for vehicle thieves. Because they can easily blend in with the population without drawing attention to themselves, car thieves adore these areas.

On these occasions, they prowl the parking lots looking for the vehicles they want to steal, break into, and drive off in.

How to protect your vehicle from thieves

• Only park in legally designated areas that are visible from security facilities.
• Avoid leaving valuables visible in your car, as this will tempt thieves.
• Avoid leaving your vehicle facing the exit. If thieves have to reverse, then you may have a chance to pursue the thieves.
• Keep your car’s lights and horn in working order because they serve as rescue tools in the event of a carjacking.
• Have a tracking device installed on the car.
• Adding additional number plate stamps to the vehicle’s removable components, such as the windscreen and side mirrors, can deter thieves who steal spare parts.

What happens to a stolen vehicle?

After stealing a car, thieves either disassemble it for parts or get fake license plates, paint it, and then send it across the border.

With forged importation papers for spare parts, a truckload of spare parts can pass through borders. The illegal business also involves rogue customs and immigration officers.

The components are sold at outdoor markets after arriving in another country. Locally, they are offered for sale in the Kariobangi neighborhood of Nairobi, Katwe in Kampala, and the Gerezani neighborhood of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

Thieves love this car model

Data released by the Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI) in 2020 showed that cars with less than KSh1 million in value are more likely to be stolen than cars with more than KSh1 million in value.

Likewise, the same data indicated that Toyota is the model that thieves prefer the most.

The most popular colour for vehicles to be stolen is white, though silver, black, blue, and grey cars also made the list, in that order.

READ ALSO: A 20-Point Guide to Buying Your First Car

The least frequently chosen colors were maroon, green, orange, purple, gold, and red.

White cars are most vulnerable to theft because they are common and easy to conceal.

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