Toyota Vehicles Remain Most Vulnerable to Theft in Kenya: 2024 Report

The Association of Kenyan Insurers (AKI) reports that Toyota vehicles are the most stolen in Kenya for 2024, comprising 54.91% of thefts. Total motor vehicle thefts decreased by 28% from 2023, yet recovery rates are concerningly low at 15.92%. Station wagons are the most targeted body type, with theft of parts being the most common circumstance.

A recent report by the Association of Kenyan Insurers (AKI) has identified Toyota vehicles as the most frequently stolen cars in Kenya for the year 2024. The data indicates that 54.91 percent of all stolen vehicles during this time frame were Toyotas. Other brands targeted include Isuzu at 12.88 percent, Mazda at 7.06 percent, Nissan at 5.83 percent, and Mitsubishi at 3.99 percent.

The report, which encompasses data from January 1, 2024, to December 31, 2024, indicates that a total of 327 motor vehicles were reported stolen, reflecting a significant 28 percent decrease from the 419 thefts recorded in 2023. This decline suggests enhanced security measures and increased awareness among vehicle owners and law enforcement officials. However, concerns remain regarding recovery rates, as only 15.92 percent of stolen vehicles were successfully retrieved.

Vehicles with registration numbers starting with KDs appeared most frequently in theft reports at 50.15 percent, followed by KCs at 35.17 percent, KBs at 10.40 percent, and KAs at 1.83 percent. In terms of body type, station wagons were the most stolen, making up 67.80 percent of all incidents. Other significant targets included lorries at 11.46 percent, saloons at 6.81 percent, and pick-ups at 3.72 percent.

Color trends revealed that white vehicles were the most stolen, comprising 39.80 percent, followed by silver at 16.72 percent and black at 15.38 percent. Notably, the report highlights that 32.52 percent of stolen vehicles had an insured value below Sh1 million, while those valued between Sh1 million and Sh2 million accounted for 26.07 percent. The most expensive vehicle reported stolen was a Mitsubishi lorry valued at Sh12.2 million.

The breakdown of theft circumstances showed that theft of vehicle parts represented the highest proportion at 54.28 percent, with vehicles stolen while parked accounting for 31.91 percent and hijackings making up 7.24 percent of incidents.

The AKI report sheds light on vehicle theft patterns in Kenya, emphasizing the vulnerability of Toyota vehicles, which dominate theft statistics. While there was a notable decline in total thefts in 2024, the recovery rate of stolen vehicles remains alarmingly low. The findings call for continued vigilance and robust security measures to mitigate the risk of vehicle theft.

Original Source: www.the-star.co.ke