It is only right to say that owners of the Toyota Harrier in Nairobi could be living in fear following a growing wave of thefts targeting the vehicle’s front grille a trend pointing to a booming black market for genuine spare parts, especially for models manufactured from 2019 onwards.

Security footage and dashcam videos shared online show thieves removing the grille and its embedded components within seconds, sometimes during traffic jams or in broad daylight.

The stolen grilles are highly sought after due to the expensive sensors and logos integrated into newer Harrier models.

Replacing the grille and related components can cost owners up to KSh100,000, making the parts highly lucrative for criminals and traders dealing in second-hand spare parts.

Motorists and other road users have reported incidents along busy roads such as Parklands Road, where thieves move between vehicles in slow-moving traffic before forcefully detaching the grille and disappearing.

Similar thefts have also been captured by CCTV cameras in residential estates including Kileleshwa, raising concerns over the boldness and organization of the syndicates behind the crimes.

The thefts are believed to be fueled by a thriving underground market for genuine vehicle parts, with some stolen items allegedly being smuggled across borders, making recovery nearly impossible.

Meanwhile, car dealers and showrooms have adopted additional security measures to protect their vehicles. One common method is riveting the grille and badge to make removal more difficult, while others are installing tamper-detection alarms and tracking systems.

Motorists are also being advised to avoid leaving vehicles in unsecured parking areas and to remain vigilant in heavy traffic, where thieves are increasingly striking with speed and precision.

The rising incidents have sparked renewed calls for authorities to crack down on illegal spare parts networks operating within the country.