A report reveals a troubling trend in car theft in Kenya, with ‘KD’ registered vehicles being most targeted, particularly Toyota models. The total number of thefts declined to 327 in 2024, yet recovery rates remain low at 15.92%. Key statistics include the most stolen types, brands, and the notable need for enhanced security among owners of at-risk vehicles.
A recent report has identified a troubling increase in car thefts across Kenya, specifically highlighting vehicles with registration plates that start with ‘KD’ as the most targeted. Alarmingly, Toyota vehicles are particularly at risk, with a significantly higher incidence of thefts reported. The Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI) indicates that 50% of stolen vehicles in 2024 had ‘KD’ as the starting prefix, highlighting the urgency of the situation. The total number of stolen vehicles decreased from 419 in 2023 to 327 in 2024.
The AKI report specifies that vehicles registered with ‘KD’ comprised 50.15% of thefts, followed by ‘KC’ at 35.17%, ‘KB’ at 10.40%, and ‘KA’ at 1.83%. Toyota remains the most targeted brand, accounting for 54.91% of theft cases, while other frequently stolen brands include Isuzu (12.88%), Mazda (7.06%), Nissan (5.83%), and Mitsubishi (3.99%). This trend indicates a critical security issue for owners of these vehicles.
Data reveal that Kenyans driving station wagons, particularly the Toyota Fielder and Subaru Outback, are at heightened risk, constituting 67.80% of theft incidents. Other vehicle categories also face significant theft risks; 11.46% of thefts involve lorries, 6.81% saloon cars, and 3.72% pickups. Consequently, the rise in vehicle theft reflects the need for increased vigilance among owners of these specific vehicle types.
The report identifies the color of vehicles as a factor influencing theft trends. Predominantly, white vehicles are the most frequently stolen, representing 39.80% of the incidents, followed by silver (16.72%) and black (15.38%). In terms of insured value, the majority of stolen vehicles were valued at less than Ksh1 million, with those between Ksh1 million and Ksh2 million accounting for 26.07% of thefts. Vehicles exceeding Ksh3 million in value made up 27.3% of incidents, with a Mitsubishi lorry valued at Ksh12.2 million logged as the most expensive theft this year.
Notably, theft of car parts remains the predominant category, constituting 54.28% of incidents. Stolen vehicles while parked accounted for 31.91%, in contrast to 7.24% attributed to hijackings. Despite a decrease in overall theft cases, recovery rates remain unsatisfactory. Only 15.92% of stolen vehicles were recovered in 2024, which shows improvement over the prior year’s 11.72% recovery rate.
The data gathered is incorporated into AKI’s Insurance Motor Database System (IMIDS) to provide alerts to underwriters before issuing insurance certificates for vehicles reported stolen. The National Police Service (NPS) emphasizes that vehicle theft remains a critical security concern, with 1,687 cases reported in 2023, a rise from 1,459 in 2022. Therefore, police encourage vehicle owners to enhance their security measures and remain vigilant, particularly for those driving high-risk vehicles.
In conclusion, the report from the Association of Kenya Insurers illustrates a concerning surge in car thefts, particularly targeting ‘KD’ registered cars and Toyota vehicles. Despite a decrease in overall thefts, the recovery rate for stolen vehicles remains low. Enhanced awareness and preventive measures are vital for vehicle owners, especially those with high-risk models, to mitigate their risk of theft in Kenya.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
