Suspected stolen mobile devices/DCI X
Two suspects have been arrested after detectives recovered more than 900 suspected stolen mobile phones in a major operation targeting an inter-country phone theft syndicate operating in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD).
The suspects were nabbed by detectives from Nairobi Central Subcounty following an intelligence-led operation conducted along Charles Rubia Street.
The area is a known transit point for parcels destined for upcountry routes and neighbouring countries.
According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), officers intercepted two packages that were being prepared for transportation to Uganda.
Upon inspection, the packages were found to contain a large consignment of stolen mobile phones.
"Upon opening the packages, the officers were greeted by a shocking sight: an assortment of stolen mobile phones, numbering approximately 900," the DCI said in a statement.
The two suspects were arrested on the spot after failing to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the ownership and source of the mobile phones.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects are part of a wider, well-organised phone theft syndicate that targets unsuspecting members of the public, as well as mobile phone shops within Nairobi.
The authorities note that the stolen devices are usually then transported and sold in neighbouring countries to avoid detection.
Detectives believe the syndicate has been using courier services and public transport routes to move the stolen phones across borders, taking advantage of the high demand for second-hand mobile devices in the region.
Following their arrest, the suspects were escorted to Nairobi Central Police Station, where they are currently being held as investigations continue.
Police say the suspects will be arraigned in court once investigations are complete.
The recovery marks one of the largest single hauls of stolen mobile phones in recent months and comes barely days after another operation conducted on January 24, 2026, in which detectives recovered over 150 stolen mobile phones within the city.
The DCI says the back-to-back recoveries signal an intensified crackdown on mobile phone theft networks that have continued to cause financial losses and insecurity among the public.
"The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) remains committed to the fight against mobile phone theft, with continuous intelligence-led crackdowns across the country," the statement concluded.
The agency has also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and to report suspicious activity involving mobile phone sales, repairs, or transportation.
Members of the public are encouraged to share information anonymously through the Fichua Kwa DCI initiative by calling 0800 722 203 (toll-free) or sending a WhatsApp message to 0709 570 000.
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