Kenya’s Rising Car Theft: Most Stolen Types and Brands Revealed

The AKI report identifies ‘KD’ registration plates as the most targeted in car thefts in Kenya, with Toyota being the most stolen brand. In 2024, 327 vehicles were stolen, a decrease from 419 in 2023. Station wagons represent the greatest risk, and the recovery rate for stolen vehicles remains low at 15.92 percent, despite an overall decline in thefts.

A recent report highlights a concerning trend in vehicle theft in Kenya, where cars with registration plates starting with ‘KD’ are most at risk. According to the Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI), such vehicles constitute half of all car thefts reported in 2024. Specifically, 327 vehicles were stolen in 2024, a decline from 419 in the previous year.

The AKI report indicates that 50.15 percent of stolen vehicles bore ‘KD’ plates, with ‘KC’ at 35.17 percent, ‘KB’ at 10.40 percent, and ‘KA’ at 1.83 percent, making these the top plates targeted by thieves. Notably, Toyota emerges as the most frequently stolen car brand, accounting for 54.91 percent of thefts, followed by Isuzu at 12.88 percent, Mazda at 7.06 percent, Nissan at 5.83 percent, and Mitsubishi at 3.99 percent.

The data further suggests that station wagons, particularly the Toyota Fielder and Subaru Outback, are the highest-risk vehicles, representing 67.80 percent of total thefts. Additionally, lorries constituted 11.46 percent, saloon cars made up 6.81 percent, and pickups accounted for 3.72 percent of thefts.

Color is another key factor, with white vehicles being the most stolen (39.80 percent), followed by silver (16.72 percent) and black (15.38 percent). Regarding monetary value, vehicles with an insured value under Ksh1 million had the most theft cases, while those valued between Ksh1 million and Ksh2 million represented 26.07 percent, and high-value vehicles above Ksh3 million accounted for 27.3 percent.

An expensive Mitsubishi lorry valued at Ksh12.2 million was noted as the most valuable vehicle theft reported in 2024. Interestingly, part theft remains prevalent, with 54.28 percent of thefts falling into this category, while vehicles stolen from parking constituted 31.91 percent, followed by hijackings at 7.24 percent.

Despite a decline in overall car thefts, recovery success remains low at only 15.92 percent in 2024, an increase from 11.72 percent in 2023. The data is utilized within AKI’s Insurance Motor Database System (IMIDS) to inform insurers prior to issuing policies for vehicles reported stolen. The National Police Service (NPS) reports 1,687 vehicle thefts in 2023, an increase from 1,459 cases in 2022. Police recommend that owners of high-risk vehicles improve their security measures and stay vigilant.

In summary, the AKI report underscores the critical issue of vehicle theft in Kenya, revealing that vehicles with ‘KD’ registration plates, especially from the Toyota brand, are at heightened risk. The prevalence of thefts emphasizes the need for vehicle owners to adopt enhanced security measures and remain cautious. Notably, despite the reported decline in cases and improved recovery rates, the overall security landscape for vehicle owners in Kenya continues to warrant attention.

Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke