Residents of Lari in Kiambu have been forced to spend sleepless nights keeping watch over their vehicles following the rise of vandalism in the area.
The residents said a gang has been sneaking into their homes to steal motor vehicle headlights, backlights, side mirrors, music systems and wheels.
A resident, George Mbugua, said the gang targets largely Toyota models such as Fielder, Harrier, Wish, Premio, NZE, Vitzs and other latest brand of vehicles.
"Their spares are expensive and are in high demand,” Mbugua said.
Mbugua said the affected areas include Mathore, Gatarama, Lari Scheme, Teachers and Nyambari in Lari subcounty.
The neighbouring subcounty of Limuru in areas such as Murengeti, Ngarariga, Kwambira and Kamandura, Karanjee and Rironi have also been affected.
Limuru law courts users committee vice chairman Paul Ngugi said his Toyota Harrier new model was vandalised on Friday night at his home in Lari Scheme location.
Before entering his home, the gang first vandalised a nearby electricity transformer plunging the whole village in darkness.
Ngugi said the gang accessed his home after digging a hole into his perimeter fence.
"The gang destroyed my stone wall to gain access in my home so that they remove parts of my car."
He further said he suspects the gang used a spraying bait to cool down his dogs since they did not bark.
“They normally alert us whenever there is any movement in our compound," Ngugi, who is also a businessman, said.
Ngugi said the thieves have invaded more than 20 homes in six months, stealing similar vehicle parts.
Another victim, Mukabi Njoroge, said that the gang targets homes which are in a radius of less than 2km from the highway, so that they can run away easily.
They are appealing to the police to intensify night patrols so as to beef up security.
Lari MP Mburu Kahangara condemned the incidents and warned that he would conduct a follow up.
"We will not keep quiet on this. We shall follow up with the police to establish if they they have any challenge of controlling the thefts. They must work hard, they have left so many people counting losses," Kahangara said.
Lari subcounty police commander Adamson Furaha said the have already arrested one suspect who was helping them with investigations into the incidents.
Speaking at Ngugi's home on Saturday, the police commander warned the car spare parts thieves that their days are numbered.
"We have launched investigations into the incident as we lay strategies to control the thefts," Furaha said.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
