In a recent operation conducted by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) on March 4, 2024, a concerted effort to address the escalation of mobile phone theft in various parts of the city and its outskirts has yielded significant results.
Numerous mobile phones, laptops, and tablets suspected to be stolen were recovered from repair stalls across different locations.
In the Kamukunji areas, specifically Information Shops 3A and 2B, 19 mobile phones were confiscated, while an additional 10 phones were recovered from Cianda Market shop no. 426. Three individuals—Samuel Kang’ethe, Anthony Kamau, and Kelvin Kihara—were apprehended in connection with these seizures.
In Lang’ata’s Mobihub Planet-BIHI Towers, Lynne Wambui and Paul Wainaina were arrested, and 34 suspected stolen phones were seized.
At Skydeck Technologies, eight laptops were seized, leading to the arrest of Brian Mwangi and Robert Thuo Mwangi.
In Ruai and Kamulu areas, a further five suspects were arrested, and a substantial cache of items including over 182 mobile phones, a laptop, an iPad, and two heating machines were recovered from three repair shops—Free Mack Electronic Shop and Kamale Mobile Repair in Ruai, and Friends Communication Shop in Kamulu. Among those arrested were Fredrick Maina, Macnair Gedion, Robin Muturi, John Kamau Mwangi, and Kelvin Kamau Njuguna.
Additionally, four suspects were apprehended in Kasarani’s Githurai 44 area as part of a similar operation.
Meanwhile, in an unrelated incident, five suspected thieves—Bethwel Kiprop, Shadrack Otwori, Edwin Ongori, Mike Sagero, and Collins Sigei—were arraigned after allegedly robbing a resident of Matopeni area in Mukuru Kwa Njenga of his jacket and an OPPO phone valued at KES 20,000.
DCI has urged residents to exercise vigilance and caution when purchasing second-hand phones and electronics to avoid inadvertently engaging in illegal activities.
