Detectives from Nairobi Central Sub-County have dealt a major blow to an inter-country mobile phone theft syndicate after arresting two suspects and recovering more than 900 stolen mobile phones in a daring operation in the heart of Nairobi’s Central Business District. 
Acting on solid, intelligence-led leads, officers mounted a meticulously planned sting along Charles Rubia Street near the busy Buscar bus stage, a known transit corridor for illicit goods. The operation culminated in the interception of two suspicious packages bound for Uganda, which, upon inspection, revealed a staggering haul of stolen mobile devices.
Investigators say the suspects failed to provide a credible explanation for possession of the phones, raising immediate red flags. Preliminary findings link the duo to a wider cross-border syndicate responsible for stealing phones from unsuspecting members of the public and raiding mobile phone shops before smuggling the devices to neighbouring countries for resale.
The suspects, Brian Yomasia and Stephen Okwachi Shisia, were arrested on the spot and escorted to Nairobi Central Police Station, where they are being processed pending arraignment in court. The recovered phones have been secured as exhibits as detectives widen the net to dismantle the entire criminal network.
The latest breakthrough comes barely days after another successful operation on January 24, 2026, when detectives recovered more than 150 stolen mobile phones, underscoring a sustained and aggressive crackdown on phone theft rings.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Kenyans from tech-related crime through continuous intelligence-driven operations nationwide, warning criminals that the noose is tightening.
Members of the public are urged to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity.
#FichuaKwaDCI — Call 0800 722 203 (toll-free) or WhatsApp 0709 570 000 to report anonymously. Usiogope!
