NAIROBI, Kenya — Police in Nairobi have arrested four individuals and seized 132 mobile phones in a targeted operation against a suspected phone theft syndicate operating in the Kayole area.
The raid, conducted by officers from Kayole Police Station, followed intelligence reports about a criminal network active in the Nyaura neighborhood, according to the National Police Service (NPS).
Among those detained is a man believed to be a primary receiver of phones stolen by street snatchers, while the other three suspects are linked to a series of phone-snatching incidents in the area. During a search of the premises, authorities recovered 132 assorted mobile phones, motherboards, and two laptops believed to be connected to the illegal operation.
“The operation underscores the National Police Service’s unwavering commitment to dismantling criminal enterprises that thrive on stolen property and to protecting members of the public from opportunistic crime,” the NPS said in a statement.
Investigations remain active as officers pursue additional individuals linked to the syndicate. Police have urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through emergency channels, including toll-free numbers 999 and 911, the #FichuaKwaDCI hotline at 0800 722 203, or anonymously via WhatsApp at 0709 570 000.
Nationwide Crackdown Intensifies
The Kayole operation is part of a broader nationwide offensive led by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the NPS targeting organized mobile phone theft networks and cross-border smuggling rings.
Recent multi-agency operations have disrupted numerous suspected fencing points and recovered thousands of stolen smartphones across the country.
In a separate raid in Kasarani, detectives acting on public intelligence uncovered a workshop containing over 200 mobile phones, nearly half of which had already been dismantled for parts.
Earlier in January, undercover officers intercepted two major cargo packages along Charles Rubia Street in Nairobi’s Central Business District, recovering more than 900 stolen phones allegedly destined for illegal smuggling into Uganda.
The crackdown has also extended beyond the capital. In Nyeri Township, police raided a retail outlet operated by an unauthorized technician, seizing 292 used mobile phones and four laptops.
Authorities have warned the public against purchasing phones from backstreet vendors or unverified online listings, as the crackdown on the illicit electronics trade continues.
