Two suspects have been arrested after police recovered 17 mobile phones during an operation targeting stolen electronics in Kiamaiko, Nairobi.
Officers from Huruma Police Station carried out the operation on Monday, October 5, 2026, in Starehe Sub-County. The recovered phones included six Samsung A15s, seven Tecno phones, one Redmi 15C, one Realme Note, one Oppo 3x and one Infinix.
The suspects were taken to Huruma Police Station and remain in custody pending processing and arraignment in court.
A growing black market
The National Police Service said the operation is part of efforts to curb phone snatching and the trade in stolen electronics. Stolen phones feed a busy second-hand market, and detectives say many devices change hands within hours of being snatched, making quick recovery essential.
Police have increasingly focused on dealers and repair shops that accept phones without proof of ownership. Under Kenyan law, handling suspected stolen property is a criminal offence, and buyers are encouraged to verify a device's IMEI status before purchase.
How to protect your phone — and recover it
Owners can find a phone's IMEI number by dialing *#06#, and are advised to record and store it. The government-backed IMEI database allows stolen devices to be blocked from local networks, rendering them far less valuable to thieves.
Police said similar operations will continue to help tackle the sale of stolen property and improve security in the area. Members of the public who may have lost phones in the area are encouraged to visit Huruma Police Station with proof of ownership to identify the recovered devices.
