Analysis of Car Theft Trends in Kenya: Brands and Statistics

A report by the Association of Kenya Insurers shows a significant trend in vehicle thefts, particularly targeting cars with “KD” registration plates and the Toyota brand. Despite fewer thefts in 2024 compared to 2023, recovery rates remain low. White vehicles are predominantly stolen, with most thefts involving lower-valued cars. The report emphasizes the need for better security measures, especially for high-risk vehicles.

A recent report by the Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI) signifies an alarming trend in vehicular theft in Kenya. Vehicles with registration plates beginning with “KD” stand out as the most targeted, comprising over half of all thefts. Specifically, 327 vehicles were reported stolen in 2024, a decrease from 419 in 2023.

The report indicates that “Vehicles with registration numbers beginning with ‘KD’ were the most stolen (50.15 per cent), followed by ‘KC’ (35.17 per cent), ‘KB’ (10.40 per cent), and ‘KA’ (1.83 per cent).” Toyota has been identified as the most popular brand among stolen vehicles, accounting for 54.91 percent of the reported thefts. Other frequently stolen brands include Isuzu, Mazda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi.

Station wagons such as the Toyota Fielder and Subaru Outback have been highlighted as the vehicles with the highest theft risk, representing 67.80 percent of theft cases. Additional targeted categories involve lorries, saloons, and pickups.

The report further identifies vehicle color as a significant factor: white vehicles are the most stolen at 39.80 percent, followed by silver and black. Most stolen vehicles are valued at less than Ksh1 million, with thefts involving vehicles valued between Ksh1 million and Ksh2 million accounting for 26.07 percent.

Notably, the most expensive vehicle stolen in 2024 was a Mitsubishi lorry, valued at Ksh12.2 million. The report underscores that the theft of parts constitutes the largest category of reported incidents at 54.28 percent, with parked vehicles coming in at 31.91 percent and hijackings at 7.24 percent.

Despite a decline in theft cases, recovery rates remain low, with only 15.92 percent of stolen vehicles recovered in 2024. This figure is an improvement over the 11.72 percent recorded in 2023. The AKI has integrated this data into their Insurance Motor Database System (IMIDS) to assist underwriters in identifying stolen vehicles.

The National Police Service (NPS) continues to regard vehicle thefts as a serious security issue, noting a rise in reported cases from 1,459 in 2022 to 1,687 in 2023, urging vehicle owners, particularly those with high-risk models, to bolster security measures.

The report by AKI reveals concerning statistics surrounding car theft in Kenya, particularly highlighting the vulnerabilities of specific vehicle brands, registration plates, and colors. While a decline in the total number of thefts has been observed, the recovery rates are still alarmingly low, prompting calls for enhanced vehicle security measures from owners. Continued vigilance is essential to address this pressing security concern.

Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke