Rwanda National Police (RNP), yesterday, handed over a vehicle which was stolen in Kenya last year to Kenyan authorities. The vehicle was recovered late last year in Rusizi District as it was being smuggled to Rwanda from DR Congo.

The vehicle, Toyota Land cruiser worth $44, 000 (Rwf30 million) was reportedly sold in DRC after it was stolen from the Kenyan town of Nakuru in April last year.

It was intercepted at Rusizi border in December last year as it crossed to Rwanda enroute to Burundi, where the buyer was apparently taking it for mechanical repair.

The vehicle was at the time bearing Congolese number plates.

The buyer of the stolen vehicle, a Congolese national identified as Zagabe Cikangafu, tried to bribe Police officers at the border with $700, but was instead arrested for attempted bribery.

Cikangafu was late last month handed a six-year jail term and a fine of $2, 800 by a Rusizi court, after he was found guilty of bribery.

Pastor Michael Nieswand, who works with the Ministry of Repentance and Holiness based in Nakuru, the owner of the recovered vehicle, in a special message to RNP, said the car was stolen by armed robbers, on April 30, before it was exported to DRC.

"One of the thieves crossed into Rwanda and was arrested by RNP. I highly honour and appreciate the professionalism exhibited by the RNP and the Rwandan Interpol department,” Pastor Nieswand’s message read in part.

It adds: "I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the government of Rwanda and RNP for returning my car.”

Sergeant Chris Mmbwanga, attached to Interpol Nairobi, who received the vehicle, commended the cooperation between Rwanda and Kenya forces, especially in tackling cross-border crimes.

"Rwanda is our second home and we appreciate its quick response whenever we call,” Mmbwanga said.

"Car theft in Kenya is rampant, with most of the cars taken to neighbouring countries. But through such cooperation, we believe such cross-border crimes can be combated,” he added.

Police spokesperson Chief Supt. Celestin Twahirwa, pledged RNP’s continued response and cooperation with other forces to fight cross-border crimes.

"Rwanda cannot be a destination for criminals or stolen goods and RNP is committed to working with other regional and international players to respond to transnational security challenges,” CSP Twahirwa said.

This is the fourth vehicle intercepted in Rwanda since December last year. Two of the recovered vehicles, also stolen from Kenya were handed over to authorities, last mother. Also recovered is a Range Rover Sport V8, said to have been stolen from the United Kingdom.

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