The DCI has warned citizens from buying second hand electronics from dubious dealers. This is because they most likely are stolen property.

"The public is hereby WARNED never to buy any electronic gadget including laptops, mobile phones, TV sets etc from an individual or a dealer who has no fixed Physical Address, that is, identifiable trading premises with requisite authorization documents that are conspicuously displayed, including licenses, permits & other local and/or national approvals."

Whenever buying, insist on issuance of a receipt clearly itemizing the particulars of the bought gadget.

Always keep the receipt or secure it electronically by photographing and archiving it in a reliable system like a desktop.

The DCI adds, "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 killed or maimed them.

DON'T buy a device of a fellow Murdered or Maimed Kenyan."

When detectives 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.

Being found with suspected stolen property, you suffer immediate consequences of the actual criminal, which may escalate to death sentences.

"We further urge electronic dealers to seize the ICT technology and 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 and security purposes."

DCI continued, "This makes it hard for criminals to hawk it and easier for investigative agencies to track and identify."

Equally, owners can mark in the same manner through various private experts in the market.

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.

Note: The DCI had given this caution in October 2019.