Today's Headlines
- Lessons and Implications of the Confirmation of Charges Against Kenya's 'Ocampo Four'
- Finance Minister Quits Over ICC Charges
- Shortage of HIV Test Kits Raises Concerns
- Living On the Edge in Turkana Region
- Ali Breaks Silence, Describes Delight At Acquittal
- Uhuru, Ruto Eligible for Presidency - CIC
- Tea Sector Posts Record Earnings in 2011
- Resettle IDPs, Urges Annan
- Uhuru, Muthaura Have Done the Right Thing
- All Displaced People Should Return Home
- Concern Raised As Parents Shun Schools in Poll Violence Hotspots
- Ruling On IEBC Hiring in February
- Country Working Towards Conditions Needed for Direct Flights to U.S.
- How ICC Claimed Kibaki's Lieutenants
- Geothermal Project to Receive Sh10 Billion Funding Boost
- Five Million to Get IDs Before Elections
- Speed Up Building Port
- Uhuru and Muthaura Did Well to Quit Posts
- A Full Plate Awaits Githae
- Clashes Continue in Moyale
- Baraza Case to Be Heard Monday
- Two Firms in Joint Venture to Drill for Oil Near Lodwar
- Exit Uhuru, Muthaura
- ICC Charges Hound Uhuru Out of Treasury
- Consumers Grow Despite Inflation
- Poor Relations Between Banks Blamed for Cash Shortages
- Fish Prices Up As Vegetable Supply Dwindles
- Consumers to Pay More for Milk and Bread As Prices Rise
- Kibaki Tasks Ex-Dar CJ to Lead Probe in Kenya
- Mombasa Port Cargo Congestion Forces Three-Month Fees Waiver
Patrick Mayoyo and Bernard Sanga
29 August 2010
Nairobi — Vehicles stolen from European countries are finding their way into the East African region through the port of Mombasa police investigations revealed on Sunday.
Police at Mombasa port with support from the International Police Organisation (Interpol) are said to be detaining a number of containers at the harbour for allegedly having vehicles suspected to have been stolen from Europe.
As a result of intensified surveillance and sharing of intelligence information between Interpol and security agencies at the Mombasa port most of the suspect vehicles are being seized before leaving the facility.
Most of the vehicles intercepted are said to be on transit to the neighbouring countries of Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania or Rwanda.
Head of Interpol in Nairobi Patrick Obimo confirmed they share information with different government security agencies on crime but declined to give details.
"What I can tell you is that we alerted the relevant agencies about this matter and they are the ones handling it," he said.
The seized cars include BMWs
The Mombasa port police boss, Mr Ayub Gitonga, and his CID counterpart, Mr Seroney Kiberenge, confirmed that they were investigating cases of vehicles suspected to have been stolen from Europe transiting through Mombasa port after being alerted by Interpol.
"Right now we are detaining four containers in connection with the on-going investigations," Mr Gitonga said. Documents seen by the Nation show the vehicles in the seized containers include BMWs and Ranger Rovers that were shipped to the Mombasa port from the UK.
According to the documents the vehicles were destined to the neighbouring countries of Tanzania and Uganda. Interpol has raised a red flag over a surge in theft of vehicles worldwide stating that in every 10 seconds one vehicle is stolen globally.
The global security agency indicates that over three million vehicles disappear each year, the criminals raking in an annual profit of about $19 billion. The body recently singled out DRC as being the most notorious destination for vehicles stolen from other parts of the world, most of which pass through the port of Mombasa.
The organisation says that after the cars are successfully cleared from the port and taken across the borders they are later sold to unsuspecting buyers who end being held by police once the cars are traced to them.
