Kisumu: Five suspects believed to be part of a major motor-vehicle theft syndicate in Kisumu County were arraigned before a Kisumu Court, charged with 14 counts of stealing and handling suspected stolen motor vehicles. The suspects, Michael Eric Mwanga, Peter Andei, Evans Otieno Meda, Musa Abdalla, and Thomas Asolo, denied the charges before Kisumu Principal Magistrate Dennis Ogal.
According to Kenya News Agency, the offences were allegedly committed in Migosi area, Khayeko Junction in Kisumu East sub-county between October 6 and 11 this year. The Magistrate ordered that four out of the five suspects be released on a bond of Sh500,000 each with two sureties of similar amounts. However, Meda, believed to be the key suspect, will be remanded at Kasagam police station until police complete their investigations. The case is set to be mentioned on October 28, 2025, and heard on January 27, next year.
The suspects were apprehended between October 6 and 11 by a multi-agency security team, which also recovered a fleet of 18 suspected stolen vehicles, mostly Toyota Fielders. Acting on a tip-off, security officers raided the homes of two suspects in Khayeko Junction and another homestead at Aliwa village, recovering the vehicles and vehicle parts.
The latest report by the Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI) on stolen motor vehicles indicates that a total of 327 motor vehicles were stolen in 2024, marking a significant 28 percent decline from the 419 reported in 2023. The reduction could be attributed to improved security measures and increased vigilance among vehicle owners and law enforcement agencies. The report also notes that those who steal motor vehicles target those with the latest registration numbers, with Toyota series being the most preferred. Toyota Station wagons continue to be the most stolen type, representing 67.80 percent of all thefts.