Suspected members of a major car theft syndicate operating within Nairobi City and its outskirts.
Police have been allowed to detain, for seven days, four suspected members of a major car theft syndicate operating within Nairobi City and its outskirts.
While permitting police to hold Mutua John Julius, George Nyakundi, Simon Mugo Chege, and Raphael Oloo Kira, Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Robinson Ondieki said justice must be served, as many Kenyans have lost their vehicles without a trace.
Mr Ondieki noted that police need time to investigate the syndicate, which is believed to be involved in the manufacturing of fake number plates, alteration of engine chassis numbers, and dismantling of vehicles whose parts are sold on the black market.
Mutua, Nyakundi, Chege, and Kira did not oppose the police request for detention.
Four suspected members of a major car theft syndicate operating within Nairobi City and its outskirts. Mutua John Julius, George Nyakundi, Simon Mugo Chege, and Raphael Oloo Kira.
“The respondents have not opposed the prayer for their detention,” Mr Ondieki noted in his ruling.
He added, “An order for their detention for seven days is hereby granted as prayed by the investigating officer.”
More time for probe
Presenting the detention application, Police Constable Sammy Shamalla—attached to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), Serious Crimes Department, Parklands Police Station—told the court he requires time to complete the investigations.
The investigating officer asked the court to deny the suspects bond, arguing that their release would jeopardize ongoing investigations, as police are closing in on more stolen vehicles.
“Releasing the suspects now will interfere with those operating the hiding cells where the stolen vehicles are dismantled, fake number plates are produced, panel beating is done, and chassis numbers are altered—thus denying justice to the public,” said Mr Shamalla.
PC Shamalla said a report was made at Parklands Police Station on March 22, 2025, by one Benedict Musiko, who operates a car hire company known as Given Tours and Safaris.
Mr Musiko reported that on March 19, 2025, a man identified as William Mugecha Ngugi hired a motor vehicle, registration number KDR 722K, make Toyota Axio, from his company for three days.
“After the expiry of the three days, Mr Ngugi—who had signed the car hire contract—failed to return the vehicle,” said Shamalla.
On March 21, 2025, Mr Musiko checked the vehicle’s tracker and discovered it had been switched off.
He contacted the agent who had linked him with the suspect (Ngugi), but was unable to reach him, prompting him to report the matter to the police.
Mr Shamalla said investigations and operations to recover the motor vehicle began, with several individuals recording statements.
On April 3, 2025, the stolen vehicle (KDR 722K) was recovered abandoned in Joska, Ruai, bearing a fake registration number: KDM 697Z.
Further operations by the DCI led to the arrest of Mutua, Nyakundi, Chege, and Kira.
Preliminary investigations revealed that Mutua and Nyakundi had specialized in hiring vehicles using forged identification documents, which they later used to steal the vehicles.
“They (Mutua and Nyakundi) allegedly stole William Mugecha’s national ID and driving license, then impersonated him to hire a vehicle from Given Tours and Safaris, after which they fixed a fake registration number,” Mr Shamalla testified.
Identifiers removed
The court heard that the vehicle’s identity markings on side mirrors and brake lights had been erased by other syndicate members.
Chege and Kira were said to have facilitated the production of the fake registration number KDM 697Z. They were arrested in Grogon along Kirinyaga Road, Nairobi.
Investigations also revealed that two other stolen vehicles—KDQ 565Z and KDQ 563J—had their number plates recovered during the sting operation.
Investigators also intend to obtain the full history of the involved vehicles from the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).
The officer added that the suspects' places of residence are unknown and releasing them could increase the risk of them fleeing justice.
In his ruling, the magistrate granted the prosecution’s application and ordered the suspects to be detained at Parklands Police Station until April 14, 2025, when the matter will be mentioned for further directions.
rmunguti@ke.nationmedia.com
