Rwanda National Police

Rwanda National Police (RNP) handed over two vehicles to Kenyan authorities, which were reported stolen from the capital Nairobi by criminals, who intended to smuggle them to a neighboring country.

They were intercepted just before they completed their journey to a potential market destination in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The cars including a Fuso truck and a Nisan Jeep, were handed over on February 5 by Commissioner for Interpol, the Assistant Commissioner of Police Tony Kuramba, and received by Chief Inspector Joe Lele, from Kenya Police Services.

In an interview with journalists, Chief Inspector Lele commended the professionalism and promptness of RNP in intervening to curb transnational crimes.

“We have worked extremely well with Rwanda and I wish to thank Rwanda Police for its prompt and swift response whenever we relay our message to them. Combating cross border crimes is in the spirit of the East African Community and Rwanda serves as an example of beneficial cooperation,” he said.

He revealed that the cars had been violently taken from their owners although none lost their lives, and are now eager to get back their property.

“The citizens of Kenya are very grateful to this collaboration and are aware that Rwanda Police serves in the interest of all citizens in the region. We will endeavor to continue working together to deliver justice for our people,” he added.

Rwanda National Police Spokesperson, Chief Superintendent Celestin Twahirwa, the force values cooperation as an inevitable tool against cross-border crimes like car theft.

“The Fuso truck was first taken to Uganda where it got new documents and a new number plate, before making the trip to Rwanda. It was recovered at the Rusizi border and impounded. The Nisan Jeep was also stolen from Kenya and recovered in the Rwanda- DRC border town of Rubavu,” CSP Twahirwa said.

“We made timely intervention before they crossed to the destined country with the stolen vehicles, in which they apparently had ready market. As witnessed today, timely information is very important in intercepting all sorts of crimes.”

Drivers of both vehicles were released after investigations indicated that they were only hired to drive the cars and both Police forces are on for the criminals who masterminded the robberies.

The I-24/7 Interpol installed at every Rwandan border post enabled RNP to intercept five vehicles last year, two of them stolen from Kenya, as they were being smuggled through Rwanda as a transit to a destination market country.

"Rwanda can neither be a destination or transit route for stolen vehicles and other goods," he noted.

On Tuesday this week, Police at the Rusizi border post impounded a Range Rover Sport V8, said to have been stolen from the United Kingdom.