City Car Dealer Ng’ang’a Battles Sh6.5M Car Theft Allegations in Court

Prominent Nairobi businessman Francis Ng’ang’a and his son face reputational damage as DPP withdraws theft case amid disputed luxury car transaction

NAIROBI – What began as a routine luxury car transaction has spiraled into a complex legal battle that has put one of Nairobi’s most prominent car dealers at the center of a Sh6.5 million theft controversy, threatening to damage his business reputation built over decades.

Francis Ng’ang’a, the well-known proprietor of Valley Road Motors, along with his son Brandon Njoroge Ng’ang’a, found themselves in the dock at Makadara Law Courts facing serious allegations of conspiring to steal a Mercedes Benz S350 belonging to city lawyer Andrew Kiarie.

The Transaction Gone Wrong

The saga began on March 20, 2025, when Brandon Njoroge Ng’ang’a entered into what appeared to be a legitimate business agreement with a car broker identified as Robert Bundi Mugaa. The deal involved the acquisition of a luxury Mercedes Benz that was brought to Valley Road Motors’ showroom for evaluation.

According to court documents, the younger Ng’ang’a conducted due diligence before agreeing to purchase the vehicle. However, the transaction would later unravel when the actual owner of the Mercedes Benz reported the matter to police, claiming the vehicle had been stolen.

The case took a dramatic turn when Brandon Ng’ang’a was forced to surrender the vehicle back to its rightful owner despite having completed all payments for the car, resulting in a staggering Sh4 million loss for the family business.

Court Drama and Arrest Warrants

The legal proceedings at Makadara Law Courts were marked by dramatic developments. Principal Magistrate Gilbert Shikwe initially issued arrest warrants for the trio after they failed to appear in court on May 28, 2025, to face charges of conspiracy to commit a felony and theft of a motor vehicle.

The charges were serious – conspiracy to commit a felony contrary to Section 393 of the Penal Code and theft of a motor vehicle contrary to Section 287A. Court documents alleged that the accused conspired to steal the Mercedes Benz S350, registration number KDS 724T, valued at Sh6.5 million on February 20, 2025, in Dandora, Kamukunji Sub-county.

DPP Withdraws Case

In a significant development on June 12, 2025, Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga withdrew the case at Makadara Law Courts under Section 87A of the Criminal Procedure Code. The withdrawal came after the ODPP was presented with documentation proving that Brandon Ng’ang’a had legitimately purchased the vehicle.

“The accused persons are discharged. The orders issued on May 29, 2025, are hereby vacated,” ruled Magistrate Shikwe, lifting the arrest warrants that had been issued against the trio.

However, the withdrawal was not without complications. The complainant, lawyer Andrew Kiarie, was not present in court to take an oath confirming his intention to withdraw the case, preventing a full withdrawal under Section 204 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The Middle Man Factor

Speaking to journalists in May, Francis Ng’ang’a vehemently denied the theft allegations, placing blame squarely on the broker who facilitated the transaction. The car dealer insisted that his son had purchased the Mercedes Benz for Sh4.1 million through the broker, Robert Bundi Mugaa, who claimed to be acting on behalf of the original owner.

“We conducted our due diligence and made payment in good faith,” Ng’ang’a reportedly told journalists, emphasizing that his family had been victims of an elaborate scheme rather than perpetrators of theft.

The case highlights the risks involved in Kenya’s luxury car market, where high-value vehicles often change hands through complex networks of brokers and intermediaries.

Reputational Damage

For Francis Ng’ang’a, who has built Valley Road Motors into one of Nairobi’s most recognizable luxury car dealerships, the case represents more than just financial loss. The businessman is now battling to protect his reputation in an industry where trust and credibility are paramount.

The car dealer has had to contend with negative publicity and the stigma associated with theft allegations, even as the case has been withdrawn. The incident has also raised questions about the verification processes used in high-end car transactions in Kenya.

Industry Implications

The case has sent ripples through Nairobi’s luxury car market, highlighting the need for more robust verification systems when dealing with high-value vehicles. Industry players are now calling for better documentation and clearer chain-of-custody procedures to prevent similar disputes.

Legal experts note that the case demonstrates the complex nature of property disputes in Kenya’s informal car trading networks, where vehicles often change hands multiple times before reaching their final buyers.

Ongoing Investigations

While the criminal case has been withdrawn, investigations continue at Nairobi Central Police Station. The Ng’ang’a family has also reported the matter to police, seeking to recover their Sh4 million loss and identify those responsible for what they claim was an elaborate fraud.

The case serves as a cautionary tale for both dealers and buyers in Kenya’s luxury car market, emphasizing the importance of thorough due diligence and proper documentation in high-value transactions.

As Francis Ng’ang’a works to rebuild his reputation and recover from the financial loss, the incident remains a stark reminder of the risks inherent in an industry where million-shilling deals are often concluded on trust and verbal agreements.

The withdrawal of the case, while providing legal relief for the Ng’ang’a family, does not erase the reputational damage already suffered or guarantee the recovery of the substantial financial losses incurred in what has become one of Nairobi’s most talked-about car dealing controversies of 2025.