Reflection on the culture of theft in Kenya

A friend recently bought a car, and as is customary, she took it to a garage for servicing and other touch ups. When the job was done, the mechanic who had been attending to the car advised her to consider extra security measures since the model she had bought was common on Kenyan roads, making it a magnet for thieves that target certain exterior car components.

The mechanic recommended riveting the side mirror covers, the car emblems in front and at the back, fog lights and lower bumper trims, and also insisted on installing anti-theft guards to the headlights. But this is not all – the window visors and splash shields were also reinforced, as well as two other parts whose names escape my friend.