The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has shed light on the methods used to trace and recover stolen mobile phones, a crime that has become increasingly rampant in major Kenyan cities.
Speaking during a live interview on Citizen TV on September 15, DCI Director Mohamed Amin revealed that investigative agencies employ advanced tracking techniques, the most notable being the use of the International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) number.
how imei helps recover stolen phones
According to Amin, every phone has a unique 15-digit IMEI number that identifies it on mobile networks worldwide. Even if a thief swaps the SIM card, the IMEI enables investigators to monitor the handset’s activity.
“When it comes to the recovery of phones, we use several techniques to enable us to recover stolen phones. One is to establish the IMEI numbers and whether that handset has been used for the commission of other offences,” Amin explained.
This means that once a stolen device is powered on and connected to a network, investigators can trace its location with the help of mobile service providers. Service providers assist law enforcement by mapping the phone’s interaction with nearby cell towers, narrowing down the location of suspects.
other tracking techniques remain classified
While Amin acknowledged that IMEI tracking is one of the most effective tools, he emphasized that the DCI also uses other undisclosed methods for security reasons.
“We use other techniques, for lack of a better word, which we will not be able to disclose to the public, but the IMEI is one of the techniques we use among many in terms of recovery of the stolen phones,” he said.
balancing security and privacy
Despite the advanced surveillance tools available, Amin stressed that the DCI operates within the framework of constitutional rights and legal procedures.
“We ensure that we observe all the legal protocols so that we are not seen to be invading people’s privacy,” he noted.
rising cases of phone theft in nairobi
The urgency of these efforts is clear: statistics show that a mobile phone is reported stolen every 10 minutes in Nairobi. In the past year alone, police recovered over 574 suspected stolen phones in the capital, though the actual number of thefts is believed to be much higher.
Police have since increased patrols and crackdowns targeting organized gangs involved in snatching phones, particularly in crowded areas and public transport.
