Detectives from Nairobi Central Sub-County have arrested two suspects linked to an international mobile phone theft syndicate and recovered more than 900 stolen devices destined for Uganda, marking a significant breakthrough in the fight against organized crime in Nairobi.
The arrests followed a well-coordinated intelligence-led operation along Charles Rubia Street near the Buscar bus stage in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD). Acting on credible information, a specialized police team intercepted two suspicious parcels that were about to be transported across the Kenya–Uganda border.
Upon opening the packages, detectives found approximately 900 stolen mobile phones concealed inside. The suspects, identified as Brian Yomasia and Stephen Okwachi Shisia, failed to give a satisfactory account of how they came into possession of the devices, raising immediate red flags for investigators.
How the Phone Theft Syndicate Operates
Preliminary investigations indicate that the two suspects form part of a wider criminal network that targets unsuspecting Nairobi residents and mobile phone shops. Members of the syndicate reportedly steal phones within the city before trafficking them to neighboring countries, where they resell the devices through illegal markets.
Police believe the network operates in multiple stages, from theft and storage to cross-border smuggling, making it a lucrative but highly organized criminal enterprise.
Following the recovery, officers escorted the suspects and the stolen phones to Nairobi Central Police Station. The two are being held pending arraignment as detectives continue piecing together evidence to identify other members of the syndicate and map out its regional connections.
Part of an Ongoing Police Crackdown
The latest seizure comes just days after another successful operation on January 24, 2026, during which officers recovered more than 150 stolen mobile phones in a separate raid. The back-to-back recoveries highlight the growing challenge of mobile phone theft in Nairobi and the scale at which criminal networks operate.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has intensified intelligence-driven operations targeting phone theft syndicates across the country. Authorities have urged Nairobi residents to remain alert, safeguard their devices, and report suspicious behavior to the nearest police station.
Mobile phone theft continues to cost Kenyan consumers millions of shillings each year while fueling organized crime. Through sustained crackdowns, the DCI aims to dismantle these networks, disrupt cross-border trafficking, and protect citizens from property-related crimes.
Members of the public with information on mobile phone theft or related criminal networks can report anonymously through the Fichua Kwa DCI initiative by calling the toll-free number 0800 722 203 or sending a WhatsApp message to 0709 570 000.
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