Residents Demand Heightened Security as Vehicle Vandalism Surges in Embu, Kirinyaga Border Areas.

Residents of Kiambuthi and other outskirts of Embu Town, including Piai in Kirinyaga County, are demanding urgent security intervention following a sharp rise in cases of vehicle vandalism and theft in the area.

The concerns follow an incident reported last night at an apartment in Kiambuthi, where a Toyota Mark X parked on the premises was broken into and stripped of its headlights and other accessories. The car’s dashboard was also extensively damaged in the attack. In the same compound, a Toyota Probox loaded with cargo was similarly vandalized, with thieves making off with the goods inside.

According to affected residents, the criminals appear to be working with knowledge of specific vehicle models and parts, deliberately targeting headlights, onboard computers, side mirrors, grills and other valuable components. Vehicles said to be most at risk include the Toyota Harrier, Fielder, Axio, Premio, Allion and Probox, models known to carry parts that fetch high resale value in informal spare-parts markets.

The wave of crime is not limited to Kiambuthi. Similar reports have emerged from Mugoya and Itabua, where residents say theft of livestock, including chickens and goats, along with other household property, has become increasingly common in recent weeks. Many say the frequency of such incidents has left them anxious about the safety of their property, particularly at night.

Affected residents are now calling on local security agencies to step up night patrols and respond more swiftly to distress calls, warning that the lack of visible policing has emboldened the criminals. Some have suggested that the thefts may be linked to organized rings supplying stolen vehicle parts to informal markets, given the targeted nature of the items taken.

Community members are urging the administration, including local chiefs and police, to engage residents in setting up neighborhood watch initiatives and improve coordination between security officers and the public to curb the rising cases.

As investigations into the latest incidents continue, residents maintain that without decisive action, the affected areas risk becoming hotspots for organized property crime, further eroding the sense of security in the once-quiet neighborhoods bordering Embu and Kirinyaga counties.