A report from the Association of Kenya Insurers reveals that vehicles with ‘KD’ registration plates are the most stolen in Kenya, with Toyota being the foremost brand at risk. The report indicates a drop in overall theft cases, though recovery rates remain low. Police urge owners of high-risk models to enhance security.
A recent report has unveiled a troubling situation concerning car theft in Kenya, identifying vehicles with registration plates beginning with ‘KD’ as the most frequently stolen. The report by the Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI) indicates that in 2024, half of the stolen vehicles had ‘KD’ plates. This represents a decrease in overall thefts, with 327 cars reported stolen, down from 419 in 2023.
The report emphasizes that Toyota vehicles are particularly at risk, comprising 54.91 percent of theft cases, followed by Isuzu (12.88 percent), Mazda (7.06 percent), Nissan (5.83 percent), and Mitsubishi (3.99 percent). Among the most targeted models are station wagons, such as the Toyota Fielder and Subaru Outback, which account for 67.80 percent of reported thefts, alongside lorries (11.46 percent), saloons (6.81 percent), and pickups (3.72 percent).
Color plays a significant role in theft trends, with white vehicles representing 39.80 percent of those stolen, followed by silver (16.72 percent) and black (15.38 percent). In terms of insured value, the majority of stolen vehicles are valued at under Ksh1 million, while those valued between Ksh1 million and Ksh2 million account for 26.07 percent. Interestingly, vehicles valued over Ksh3 million make up 27.3 percent of the thefts, with the most expensive being a Mitsubishi lorry worth Ksh12.2 million.
The report further notes that theft of parts is the most common type of theft, constituting 54.28 percent of incidents. Vehicles stolen while parked accounted for 31.91 percent, and hijackings represented 7.24 percent. Despite a reduction in overall thefts, recovery rates for stolen vehicles remain low at 15.92 percent in 2024, though this is an improvement from 11.72 percent in 2023.
Finally, the National Police Service (NPS) continues to underscore that the issue of vehicle theft remains a critical security concern, with 1,687 reported cases in 2023, an increase from 1,459 in 2022. Police advise vehicle owners to strengthen their security measures and exercise vigilance, especially if they own high-risk vehicle models.
The report highlights the persistent issue of vehicle theft in Kenya, particularly targeting ‘KD’ registration plates and Toyota vehicles. While theft numbers have decreased, recovery rates remain alarmingly low. Vehicle owners are encouraged to bolster their security measures to safeguard against these rising theft trends.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
