In a major breakthrough against organized mobile theft in the city, police have arrested six suspects in a sweeping operation that uncovered a cache of stolen mobile phones and over KSh600,000 believed to be proceeds of crime.
The Saturday, May 24 operation, led by officers from the Nairobi Regional Police headquarters, recovered phones valued at KSh3 million, believed to have been stolen from various parts of the capital.
“This is a significant stride in our efforts to dismantle these criminal networks,” said Nairobi Regional Police Commander George Sedah while addressing the press. He was flanked by top security officials including Benson Kasyoki, the regional head of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
Sedah revealed that the suspects had been running a sophisticated racket. “They usually configure some of the mobile phones and sell them elsewhere. We advise against buying stolen devices,” he cautioned.
According to police, the syndicate largely uses motorcycles for quick getaways after snatching phones from unsuspecting victims. Some of the recovered gadgets had already been tampered with, suggesting an attempt to erase digital footprints before resale.
Authorities warn that some of these phones end up in neighboring countries, while others are sold locally to unknowing buyers. The commander urged the public to report stolen gadgets promptly, stressing that such reports help trace stolen property and link suspects to crimes.
“We are pursuing more suspects. This network is larger than what we’ve seen so far,” Sedah added.
Previous investigations into similar cases have linked mobile theft rings to violent robberies, some resulting in serious injuries or fatalities. Several suspects arrested in earlier operations have faced charges ranging from robbery with violence to murder.
The police say the ongoing operation will continue until all members of the syndicate are brought to justice.
“This isn’t just about stolen phones,” Sedah said firmly. “It’s about public safety and restoring confidence in our city’s security.”
The arrested suspects are currently in custody and will be arraigned as investigations proceed.
