Five suspects believed to be part of a major motor-vehicle theft syndicate in Kisumu County have been arraigned before a Kisumu Court charged with 14 counts of stealing and handling suspected stolen motor-vehicles.

The suspects Michael Eric Mwanga, Peter Andei, Evans Otieno Meda, Musa Abdalla and Thomas Asolo denied the charges before Kisumu Principal Magistrate Dennis Ogal.

The offences were allegedly committed in Migosi area, Khayeko Junction in Kisumu East Sub-County on diverse dates between October 6 and 11, this year.

The magistrate ordered that out of the five suspects, four be released on a bond of Ksh500,000 ($3,870) each with two sureties of similar amounts, but Meda, believed to be the key suspect be remanded at Kasagam Police Station until police complete investigations.

The case will be mentioned on October 28, 2025 and heard on January 27, next year.

The suspects were arrested on diverse dates between October 6 and 11 last week by a multi-agency security team and a fleet of 18 suspected stolen vehicles (mostly Toyota Fielders) recovered.

Acting on a tip off, security officers raided the homes of the two suspects in Khayeko Junction and another homestead at Aliwa village respectively, where they recovered the vehicles and vehicle parts.

The latest report by the Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI) on stolen motor vehicles indicates that a total of 327 motor vehicles were stolen in 2024, marking a significant 28 per cent decline from the 419 reported in 2023.

The reduction could be due improved security measures and increased vigilance among vehicle owners and law enforcement agencies.

Those who steal motor-vehicles target those with latest registration numbers. Toyota series are the most preferred, where the Toyota Station wagons continue to be the most stolen type, representing 67.80 per cent of all thefts.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Mabel Keya-Shikuku