Kenya’s prison population stood at an average of 60,740 inmates in 2025 with female population averaging at 4.8%, including pre-trial detainees and remand prisoners, according to Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
Against this backdrop, businesses in parts of Kajiado North are raising concerns over a number of reported shoplifting and theft incidents, with some traders alleging that groups of women may be involved in coordinated criminal activities.
A shoplifting incident was this morning August 14 2026 reported at Kiserian Police Station. According to information provided by the affected business, video footage shows a female putting goods from the store’s shelves straight into her handbag. The incident comes amid recent reports of suspected organized shoplifting activities targeting businesses in different parts of Kajiado North.
Officers from Kiserian Police Station led by OC Crime Alfred Juma responded and arrested the suspect who has since been identified as a 23 yr old mother of two children aged 3 and one.
“She has been going through financial challenges lately, but it is a shock for me to hear that she has been arrested for shoplifting. I raised her well. She is a form two dropout due to lack of school fees. I was going through a lot that time. She is currently working in a salon as a nail technician but business has been low according to her” the mother said
In other such cases involving female shoplifters, an alleged all female gang was captured by cctv cameras in July this year, targeting businesses in Kerarapon, Kajiado North. The affected business owners in Kerarapon, said they suspected the individuals involved may have come from Karinde in Kiambu County.
The Kerarapon incident followed other reported cases involving groups of women suspected of shoplifting in the wider area. Approximately two years ago, a group of women wearing religious attire was captured by CCTV cameras stealing goods from Karengatah Supermarket in Oloolua. The suspects were reported to have stolen cooking oil and other goods. Approximately six months ago, several women were also captured on CCTV allegedly shoplifting from Optidrops Supermarket in Ngong.
Business owners are being encouraged to strengthen CCTV monitoring, maintain accurate stock records and promptly report suspected theft to police rather than confronting suspected offenders themselves.
Business owners have raised concerns over possible use of women by criminal networks. Eric Nderu, a resident of Kiserian, said he suspects the rise in reports involving all female groups could potentially be linked to larger criminal networks using women to carry out certain activities.
He suggested that some criminals could be exploiting perceptions that women may receive more lenient treatment when caught committing offences.
“Male thieves will most likely face a burning tyre or fuel if found committing crime,” Nderu said.
His comments reflect concerns within the community, although allegations linking individual suspects to organized criminal networks would need to be established through investigations by law enforcement agencies.
The repeated mention of CCTV footage in the reported incidents demonstrates the growing role of surveillance technology in protecting businesses and supporting investigations. Cameras can help businesses identify suspicious activity, establish timelines and preserve evidence that can be handed over to investigators.
However, CCTV footage should be handled carefully and provided to law enforcement rather than being used to publicly identify or punish suspects before investigations and due process are completed.
As reports of shoplifting continue to emerge from different parts of Kajiado North, traders are being encouraged to strengthen preventive measures, remain vigilant and report crime incidents to the police no matter how petty they seem.
Businesses can improve security by ensuring CCTV cameras cover entrances, exits and key areas, maintaining daily stock records, training employees to recognize suspicious behaviour and establishing clear procedures for reporting incidents. There are cctv installers in Kajiado North such as High Peak Technologies and many others.
With Kenya recording an average prison population of 60,740 people in 2025, the wider challenge extends beyond arrests and imprisonment. Effective policing, timely investigations, efficient prosecution, crime prevention and rehabilitation all remain important components of addressing crime in communities.
