By Our Reporter
Police are investigating two violent carjacking incidents in which delivery drivers transporting brand-new vehicles from Mombasa to Kampala were attacked, strangled, and robbed along the Mombasa Highway. The two vehicles remain missing, and authorities warn the route is increasingly being targeted by organized criminal gangs.
Both incidents, which occurred in the Machakos County region, followed a similar pattern: the drivers had picked up passengers along the way for a fee—an act now strongly discouraged by law enforcement due to a spike in robberies.
First Case: Subaru Forester Stolen In Kyumbi
The first incident occurred on the morning of May 15 near the Kyumbi area. A driver ferrying a brand-new Subaru Forester from Mombasa to Kampala picked up three men who claimed they were traveling to Nairobi.
As the vehicle approached the dual carriageway near Kyumbi township, the passengers suddenly turned violent. They allegedly strangled the driver, tied his hands, and dumped him in a bush before speeding off with the car.
The shaken driver later managed to report the attack at the nearest police station. The vehicle has not been recovered.
Second Case: SUV Taken In Lukenya Area
In the second case, reported at Athi River Police Station, another driver transporting a new SUV from Mombasa to Uganda suffered a similar fate. He had picked up four passengers between Kibwezi and Voi.
Near the Lukenya area, one of the passengers asked to stop for a call of nature. As the driver complied, the remaining passengers turned on him. Four more assailants appeared from the roadside and overpowered him.
The attackers tied the driver with a rope and abandoned him along the road. He was later rescued by Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) patrol officers. His mobile phone and personal belongings were also stolen.
One of the passengers reportedly jumped out of the vehicle as it made a U-turn back toward Mombasa. Police are still trying to determine whether he was part of the group or an unwitting victim.
Authorities Issue Fresh Warning
In response to the twin attacks, police have reiterated warnings to transport drivers, particularly those delivering vehicles, to avoid giving rides to strangers along the highway.
“These cases are part of a disturbing trend where criminal syndicates exploit the goodwill of drivers,” said a senior police officer in Machakos. “We’re stepping up patrols along the route and coordinating with neighboring counties to track down the stolen vehicles and their perpetrators.”
Officials say up to two such robberies are reported each week on the Mombasa Highway, and most of the vehicles are never recovered.
Car dealers and logistics firms operating between Kenya and Uganda are being advised to train their drivers in road safety protocols and, where possible, arrange for convoy movement or tracking devices.
The investigation into both cases is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact police.
