Residents of Nairobi have been asked to be careful when walking on certain streets within the Central Business District (CBD) – past certain hours.
There are reports that a gang has been prowling these streets from 7:30pm – and harassing pedestrians rushing back home in time for the 10:00pm curfew time.
“Avoid the general 680 Hotel, Bruce House area of Standard street all the way to Jubilee Insurance to City Hall and up to the Supreme Court area especially past 7:30pm. There is a gang of about 4-6 men who are mugging people. One of them walks around with a dagger,” noted one Chris Mwenda who had a close shave with the gang.
“If you somehow make it and head up at Kencom House, avoid the Aga Khan Walk or the Supreme Court/Reinsurance Plaza side… too many gangs operating around that area, plus they are working in cahoots with street kids in that spot. I am lucky to be home and in one piece, but Nairobi the city can finish you,” he goes on.
Nairobi has witnessed a rise in cases of muggings and kidnappings even as the pandemic continues to ravage the economy.
A report released by the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC) in May 2020 showed that Nairobi residents stand a high risk of being victims of crime on any given day.
The report revealed that reported muggings went from 22,295 in 2016 to 25,049, recording a spike of 2,754.
“In 2016 there were 76,986 cases reported to police which increased to 77,992 in 2017 translating to an increase 1,006 or 1%. It is projected to rise in the year 2020,” a recent National Police Service (NPS) report.
Just recently, a gang was captured on CCTV trying to rob Kenyan actor Ainea Ojiambo along Nairobi’s Moi Avenue street before shots were fired which left two people; a guard and bystander injured.
“The police found a strange cartridge at the scene and will be looking into it,” a source who did not wish to be named told Mwanahabari.co.ke – adding that “one of the thugs may have sustained a gunshot wound as there was a trail of blood.”
According to police, Moi Avenue is one of the most dangerous streets in Nairobi. Hundreds of Nairobians are robbed in the CBD daily, with most cases often going unreported.
Most criminals operating in the CBD are pickpockets who target phones, wallets, and sometimes laptops. Most of them operate around Uhuru Highway (during traffic), Kirinyaga Road (famously known for handbags and phone snatching), Nyamakima bus stop (dangerous for mugging and snatching), Landhies road (muggers or snatchers will use faeces as a weapon to use against you) and Muthurwa market (It’s a place to avoid at night or during the day when one is alone).
Do not fight criminals
Police have often cautioned Kenyans who may find themselves surrounded by criminals to act with utmost control to avoid getting hurt.
“Don’t ever try to fight them especially if they are many. Some of them have guns or knives, and will not hesitate to harm you,” a police officer from Nairobi Central – but who did not wish to be named – told Mwanahabari.co.ke.