Car theft syndicate sparks fear in Eldoret

Vehicle car parts that were recovered by police. A car theft syndicate is wreaking havoc in Eldoret and its environs. [Kevin Tunoi, Standard]

The losses are huge and the crime is executed in a meticulous manner in just three minutes.

For dozens of motorists, all they are left with are car keys and pictures of their favourite machines.

It is a tale of a car theft syndicate that is wreaking havoc in Eldoret.

Records at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations Eldoret offices indicate that 108 vehicles have been reported stolen this year alone within the town and its environs.

The vehicles are yet to be recovered despite a wide circulation of their number plates and details.

An average of three cars are stolen each week, making it 18 vehicles a month, according to the records. 

The report shows Eldoret as a source of stolen motor vehicles, which are often driven to either Kericho or Kabarnet towns in Kericho and Baringo counties respectively by people described by police as hired men.

The hired drivers are said to have mastered the art of producing master keys for different car models which they use to gain entry into parked cars after days of monitoring the owner’s movements.

“We obtained mobile telephone numbers of the hired drivers, and after tracking we established the movements. The stolen vehicles are taken to Kericho or Kabarnet. At times, they are taken to Nakuru. We were instructed by our bosses to leave the search for the culprits and the stolen cash to a team of DCI officers,” said a police officer who sought anonymity as he is not authorised to speak to the press.

Complex syndicate

Uasin Gishu County Criminal Investigations Officer Isaac Onyango talked of a complex syndicate, adding that several vehicles have been stolen in recent months.

According to Mr Onyango, some vehicles are reportedly stolen in just three minutes after they are parked.

He said the thieves are so daring that they steal motor vehicles outside secure public institutions.

“We recovered a stolen matatu three days ago. It is a complex thing and we suspect those reporting the incidents could also be the masterminds,” said Mr Onyango.

Paul Kibii, a resident of Annex in Eldoret, recalls how on September 12 last year he lost his 14-seater matatu at Eastleigh Estate.

“My driver had parked the vehicle at a well-guarded compound in Eastleigh at 11pm, but at 6am the following day, the vehicle was gone. The guard said he thought my driver took the vehicle because it had not been broken into,” Mr Kibii explained. He said the matter was reported to Eldoret Central police station as soon as the vehicle was declared missing and booked under OB number OB6/13/2018.

Mr Kibii said he had bought the PSV with registration number KBS 714B at Sh750,000 a month before it was stolen, never to be traced to date.

He hired a private investigator after police efforts bore no fruits, and the investigators traced the vehicle to Kericho county, but it became difficult to ascertain the location.

“I am now left repaying a loan I had borrowed to buy the matatu,” said Kibii.

May 11, 2019, is a day Kenneth Kipkorir would wish to forget as he too fell victim to car theft.

Mr Kipkorir borrowed his mother’s car in the evening to travel from Kapsoya estate to Eldoret Central Business District.

He parked it outside a building along Oginga Odinga Street at 9:30pm. When he returned to the spot slightly over an hour later, the Toyota Corolla DX 102 registration number KAS 688J was gone.

“At 10.40pm, I returned to the place I had parked the car and at first I thought I was being dazzled by the lighting in the parking area. I didn’t want to believe it had been stolen,” Kipkorir said.

“I asked street boys and hawkers and they said the vehicle was driven away by someone who opened the door with ease as soon as I left to have supper.”

Kipkorir and his mother, a police officer, reported the matter to Eldoret Police station under OB NO. 104/11/5/19.

On November 23, 2018, Sammy Birgen was approached by a man who identified himself as corporal Martin and who sought to hire his lorry to transport household goods from Eldoret Central Police Station to Cheptiret Police Post, about 22km from Eldoret town. The lorry registration number KBC 734G was driven to Eldoret police station where it was stolen.