The 2024 AKI report reveals that vehicles with ‘KD’ registration plates are the most stolen in Kenya, particularly Toyotas. Of the 327 reported thefts, Toyota models account for 54.91%. Station wagons are the highest risk category, while white vehicles are the most frequently stolen. Despite a decrease in thefts from 2023, recovery rates of stolen cars remain low, urging vehicle owners to enhance security.
A recent report by the Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI) has unveiled a troubling trend in car theft across Kenya, specifically highlighting vehicles with registration numbers starting with ‘KD’ as the most targeted, particularly Toyota models. In 2024, half of all stolen vehicles bore ‘KD’ prefixes, totaling 327 thefts, a decrease from 419 incidents in 2023.
According to the AKI report, vehicles starting with ‘KD’ accounted for 50.15% of all thefts, with ‘KC’ at 35.17%, ‘KB’ at 10.40%, and ‘KA’ at 1.83%. The Toyota brand dominated the statistics, featuring in 54.91% of theft cases. Other common brands included Isuzu (12.88%), Mazda (7.06%), Nissan (5.83%), and Mitsubishi (3.99%).
The report indicates that specific vehicle types are more susceptible to theft. Station wagons such as the Toyota Fielder and Subaru Outback encompass 67.80% of theft cases, while lorries constitute 11.46%, saloons 6.81%, and pickups 3.72%. Additionally, the colour of the vehicle plays a significant role in theft frequency, with white vehicles being the most stolen at 39.80%, followed by silver (16.72%) and black (15.38%).
In terms of value, most stolen vehicles were insured for less than Ksh1 million, with those valued at Ksh1 million to Ksh2 million accounting for 26.07% of thefts. Vehicles exceeding Ksh3 million comprised 27.3% of stolen cases. The most expensive vehicle reported stolen in 2024 was a Mitsubishi lorry appraised at Ksh12.2 million.
The report also reveals that the theft of individual parts remains the highest category, accounting for 54.28% of reported incidents, with 31.91% of stolen vehicles being taken while parked, and hijackings contributing to 7.24%. Despite a decrease in theft incidences, recovery rates have been low, with only 15.92% of stolen vehicles recovered in 2024, an increase from 11.72% in 2023.
AKI highlighted that this data is incorporated into the Insurance Motor Database System (IMIDS) to assist underwriters in identifying stolen vehicles prior to issuing insurance certificates. The National Police Service (NPS) has noted that vehicle thefts are a pressing security issue, with 1,687 cases reported in 2023, compared to 1,459 the previous year, urging vehicle owners to bolster security measures, especially for high-risk models.
In conclusion, the report by the Association of Kenya Insurers indicates a significant risk of car theft in Kenya, particularly for vehicles with ‘KD’ registration plates and Toyota brands. Station wagons and white vehicles are particularly vulnerable, and while there has been a slight improvement in recovery rates, the incidents of theft remain alarmingly high. Enhanced security measures are recommended for vehicle owners to mitigate risks.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
