The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has warned the public against buying electronic gadgets including mobile phones, laptops and TV sets from unregistered dealers.
In a move aimed at curbing theft of electronic goods, the DCI says members of public should purchase from dealers who have a fixed physical address and have conspicuously displayed the requisite authorization documents including licenses, permits and other local or national approvals.
According to the DCI, unregistered dealers trade in stolen goods some of which have been robbed from murdered victims.
“It is risky and dangerous to buy any electronic device from suspicious outlets. Most are those who buy stolen items from armed gangsters who have violently robbed innocent citizens and in the process kill and maim them.
“Don’t buy a device of a fellow murdered or maimed Kenyan. When police forensically investigate and find you in possession of such said devices, by the time it is established that you were not involved in the crime, you may have suffered immensely,” reads the statement.
The DCI further reiterated that in case anyone is found to have purchased a stolen electronic gadget they risk prosecution.
“Being found with suspected stolen property, you suffer immediate consequences of the actual criminal, which may escalate to death sentences,” said the DCI.
Electronic dealers have also been urged to record the details of sold goods for security purposes.
“We further urge electronic dealers to seize the IT/ICT technology & ensure they mark at the counter every electronic gadget bought by a customer as a value added incentive with indelible initials as may please the customer for safety & security purposes. This makes it hard for criminals to hawk it & easier for investigative agencies to track & identify,” added the DCI.
“In case of any doubt that you may be harbouring any gadget of suspicious source, please and in confidence report at any police station or DCI office.”
For Citizen TV updates
Join @citizentvke Telegram channel
Video Of The Day: Beatrice Chepkoech clinches 3000 metres steeplechase gold
