This archive report was first published on 7 October 2019.
On October 6, 2019, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) issued a statement warning Kenyans against buying electronic gadgets from unregistered dealers.
The DCI, led by George Kinoti, cautioned that devices bought from unauthorised vendors are likely to have been stolen and may have been obtained through violent means, resulting in the owner being hurt or murdered.
According to the DCI, purchasing electronic devices from suspicious outlets is risky and dangerous, as most of these devices are stolen items sold to unsuspecting Kenyans at significantly low prices.
The DCI advised Kenyans to always insist on receipt upon purchase of any electronic gadget and to keep the receipt or secure it electronically by photographing or archiving it in a reliable system.
Additionally, the DCI urged electronic dealers to seize the IT/ICT technology and mark every electronic gadget bought by a customer with indelible initials for safety and security purposes.
Recently, the DCI arrested eight suspects linked to the gruesome murder of RAI Cement Company ex-general manager Chetan Vyas and recovered a stolen phone belonging to the deceased.
Similarly, in August 2019, the DCI arrested four suspects who were found with 15 stolen laptops shortly after it emerged that at least 1,600 laptops meant for primary school kids had been stolen.
