Kenya continues to grapple with high numbers of motor vehicle thefts, despite a reported decline in cases last year. The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) highlights that the growing number of car owners has intensified the need for advanced safety measures.
At the 2025 Telematics Summit in Nairobi, Principal Secretary for Roads and Transport, Joseph Mbugua, emphasized the government’s commitment to adopting technology to address rising theft cases. “There is a need for continuous capacity building of industry players. Technology adoption is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity,” he stated.
Figures from the Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI) reveal that 327 vehicles were stolen in 2024, a 28% decline from 419 cases reported in 2023. This decrease has been attributed to increased vigilance among motorists and improved law enforcement efforts.
However, stakeholders in the automotive and insurance sectors warn that the threat remains significant and is evolving. “We are seeing a worrying trend,” said Daniel Bett, an engineer at telematics firm Teltonika. “Despite some progress, car thieves are evolving. It’s not just about preventing theft anymore—it’s about staying a step ahead with technology.”
Data from AKI indicates that vehicles with registration numbers starting with KDs were the most targeted, accounting for 50.15% of thefts, followed by KCs (35.17%), KBs (10.4%), and KAs (1.83%). Toyota remains the most stolen brand, involved in 54.91% of cases, followed by Isuzu, Mazda, Nissan, and Mitsubishi.
The summit, organized by Teltonika, gathered over 400 participants from across East Africa to discuss emerging threats and solutions in vehicle security. The company noted that Kenya offers significant opportunities not only for personal car tracking but also for safeguarding road construction equipment, cargo transport, and fleet management.
Stakeholders caution that unless Kenya scales up the adoption of real-time monitoring and smart tracking technologies, theft cases could rise again.
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