Police in Nakuru County have arrested nine suspects in an operation targeting phone snatchers and individuals selling stolen mobile phones.
The operation was conducted in areas believed to be hotspots for the trade in stolen mobile devices, including Shoppers Paradise and in the Sokoni area of Kaptembwa.
Confirming the arrests on social media platforms on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, National Police Service (NPS), stated that officers received intelligence on the presence of individuals suspected of selling or facilitating the distribution of stolen devices.
During the crackdown, nine suspects were arrested for allegedly operating within a network involved in handling stolen mobile phones.
Several assorted mobile phones were recovered from the suspects alongside electronic equipment believed to have been used to alter International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) numbers.
“Nine suspects were arrested with several assorted mobile phones and electronic equipment in their possession, believed to be used for flashing and altering mobile phone IMEI numbers. The seized items included flashing cables, specialised software devices, and other accessories suspected to facilitate the illegal alteration of mobile phone identification details,” NPS stated.
Such equipment is used to erase the original IMEI numbers of the devices, making it difficult for authorities to trace the stolen phones to their rightful owners.
Additionally, officers involved in the operation recovered a total of sixteen rolls of bhang from the suspects.
NPS further noted that incidents of petty crime, like phone snatching, often leave a deeper mark than the cost of a lost device. Victims may struggle with disrupted communication, exposed personal data, and a heightened sense of insecurity in everyday spaces.
According to NPS, the arrests underscores the commitment of law enforcement to disrupt networks that profit from petty crime and to safeguard members of the public from its consequences.
The service reiterated its commitment to preventing such crimes and vowed to hold those responsible accountable.
