A report by the Association of Kenya Insurers reveals that vehicles with ‘KD’ registration plates are most at risk of theft in Kenya, particularly Toyota models. Key findings show a decline in overall thefts in 2024, but recovery rates of stolen vehicles remain low. Owners of high-risk vehicles are advised to enhance security measures.
A recent report highlights a concerning trend in vehicle theft across Kenya, pinpointing cars with registration plates that begin with ‘KD’ as the most vulnerable. This report, published by the Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI), indicates that 50% of vehicles reported stolen in 2024 bore ‘KD’ plates. A total of 327 vehicles were reported stolen this year, a decline from 419 in 2023.
According to the findings, vehicles registered with ‘KD’ accounted for 50.15% of thefts, while ‘KC’, ‘KB’, and ‘KA’ followed with theft rates of 35.17%, 10.40%, and 1.83% respectively. The Toyota brand stands out as the most frequently stolen, constituting 54.91% of the cases, followed by Isuzu (12.88%), Mazda (7.06%), Nissan (5.83%), and Mitsubishi (3.99%).
The analysis further identifies station wagons, specifically the Toyota Fielder and Subaru Outback, as the most targeted categories, making up 67.80% of the reported thefts. This is in contrast to other vehicle types, including lorries (11.46%), saloons (6.81%), and pickups (3.72%).
Additionally, color plays a significant role in theft frequencies. White vehicles dominate the statistics, comprising 39.80% of stolen cars, followed by silver (16.72%) and black (15.38%). In financial terms, most stolen vehicles had insured values of less than Ksh1 million, while those valued between Ksh1 million and Ksh2 million represented 26.07% of thefts. Notably, a Mitsubishi lorry valued at Ksh12.2 million was recorded as the most expensive theft in 2024.
The report further reveals that part theft remains the highest reporting incident category at 54.28%. Vehicles stolen while parked accounted for 31.91%, while hijackings constituted 7.24%. Though overall theft cases have decreased, recovery rates remain low, with only 15.92% of stolen vehicles successfully recovered this year, an improvement over the 11.72% recovery rate in 2023.
The data collected informs AKI’s Insurance Motor Database System (IMIDS), assisting insurers in identifying stolen vehicles prior to issuing insurance certificates. The National Police Service acknowledges the continued threat posed by vehicle theft, reporting 1,687 cases in 2023, an increase from 1,459 in 2022. Authorities urge vehicle owners to enhance their security measures and remain vigilant, particularly those who drive high-risk models.
The report underscores the alarming trend of vehicle theft in Kenya, particularly targeting Toyota vehicles and those with ‘KD’ registration numbers. While thefts have decreased this year, the low recovery rate remains a significant concern. Vehicle owners are encouraged to adopt stricter security measures to protect against potential theft.
Original Source: www.kenyans.co.ke
