A report from the Association of Kenya Insurers reveals alarming trends in car thefts in Kenya, with vehicles starting with ‘KD’ leading the statistics. Toyota continues to dominate as the most stolen brand, and station wagons are identified as the highest risk category. While theft numbers have decreased, recovery rates remain troublingly low.
A recent report has indicated a troubling trend in car thefts throughout Kenya, particularly targeting vehicles with registration plates starting with ‘KD’. The Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI) reports that in 2024, 50 percent of stolen vehicles bore the ‘KD’ plates, highlighting a significant risk for owners of these vehicles. In total, 327 vehicles were reported stolen this year, showing a decline from 419 incidents in 2023.
According to the report, the vehicles with ‘KD’ registration numbers constituted 50.15 percent of thefts, followed by ‘KC’ at 35.17 percent, ‘KB’ at 10.40 percent, and ‘KA’ at 1.83 percent. The Toyota brand is identified as the most frequently stolen, representing 54.91 percent of reported theft incidents. Other notable brands include Isuzu (12.88 percent), Mazda (7.06 percent), Nissan (5.83 percent), and Mitsubishi (3.99 percent).
The data further reveals that owners of station wagons, such as the Toyota Fielder and Subaru Outback, are particularly vulnerable, as these vehicles account for 67.80 percent of theft cases. Additionally, lorries make up 11.46 percent, saloons 6.81 percent, and pickups 3.72 percent.
The report also examines the influence of vehicle color on theft likelihood, identifying white vehicles as the most stolen at 39.80 percent, followed by silver (16.72 percent) and black (15.38 percent). The majority of stolen vehicles had an insured value below Ksh1 million, but 26.07 percent were valued between Ksh1 million and Ksh2 million, while 27.3 percent exceeded Ksh3 million.
Notably, the most expensive vehicle reported stolen in 2024 was a Mitsubishi lorry valued at Ksh12.2 million. The report indicates that theft of parts is the highest category of reported incidents at 54.28 percent, while stolen vehicles parked accounted for 31.91 percent, and hijackings constituted 7.24 percent.
Despite the decline in total theft cases, the recovery rates remain low, with only 15.92 percent of stolen vehicles being successfully recovered in 2024 compared to an 11.72 percent recovery rate in 2023. This data is integrated into the Insurance Motor Database System (IMIDS) to assist underwriters in identifying stolen vehicles during the insurance certification process.
The National Police Service (NPS) highlights that vehicle theft continues to be a significant security challenge, with reports of 1,687 thefts in 2023, increasing from 1,459 in 2022. Consequently, police advise vehicle owners to enhance their security measures and stay alert, particularly those driving high-risk vehicles.
The report underscores a critical issue of car theft in Kenya, particularly affecting vehicles with ‘KD’ registrations and the Toyota brand. While overall theft incidents have decreased, the recovery of stolen vehicles remains alarmingly low. The findings emphasize the need for enhanced security measures for vehicle owners, especially those at higher risk.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
