In a significant breakthrough, the police have uncovered a motorbike theft criminal ring, leading to the arrest and arraignment of three suspects. According to reports, the suspects were caught with stolen motorbikes in various locations, including Nakuru, Ndhiwa, and Nairobi. The police recovered three stolen bikes, and the rightful owners are expected to be reunited with their assets.
The investigation revealed that the suspects were part of an organized crime syndicate targeting boda boda operators, stealing their motorbikes and smuggling them to neighboring countries like Tanzania and Uganda. In one instance, a suspect named Joseph Korir Maema, a boda boda rider, pleaded guilty to stealing a motorbike worth Ksh 261,612 and selling it at a throwaway price. Maema had been operating under multiple aliases and was employed by the motorbike’s owner, Ernest Biwott, who had acquired the motorcycle on a hire purchase from Watu Kenya.
The police have been working closely with asset financing companies like Watu Kenya to combat motorbike theft. Watu Kenya has introduced advanced tracking systems and security devices for all motorbikes, which has aided in the recovery of stolen bikes. The company’s country manager, Erick Massawe, commended the national security agencies for their support in cracking down on motorbike theft, noting that over 10,000 motorcycles were stolen across the country in 2024.
The suspects are currently facing charges, with one of them being out on bail pending a hearing. The police are continuing their investigation to uncover more details about the motorbike theft ring and bring the perpetrators to justice.
