The nickname Nairobi worked hard to shake off, Nairobbery, has come back to haunt it following an uptick in cases of muggings and robberies in the Central Business District (CBD).
Governor Mike Sonko and Nairobi Police Commandant Japheth Koome have in the past week come under fire over the increased crimes, both announcing new measures to combat the gangs that have taken over the city.
Sonko decided to form an anti-mugging squad while Koome announced that a team of uniformed and plainclothes officers had been mobilized to take down the thugs.
“We have mobilised a team of both uniformed and plainclothes police officers in the city centre to crack down on this gang. Their activities had been suppressed but since they have devised new ways of robbing people, we have also come up with strategies to counter them,” Koome stated.
Gangs such as 40 Brothers have been linked to the noticeable surge in daylight robberies, and operate as organized groups which make it difficult for culprits to be singled out. Here is a recent video of two men robbing a man who had just walked out of an ATM along Kimathi Street.
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Their biggest targets are people leaving ATMs, Forex Bureaus, M-Pesa shops and pedestrians walking in between vehicles, especially stationary matatus, within the CBD.
They move in groups of 5 to 20 people and prefer to rob individuals as opposed to those walking in groups.
The gangs patiently track unsuspecting citizens and once they have established their target, one, two or even three will approach with the rest of the gang positioned close by.
Many of them carry knives and will threaten to use them unless the target surrenders all they want; usually money, phones, laptops and jewellery.
The robberies happen within the blink of an eye and before the target can raise an alarm, the gang members run off in different directions as part of smaller groups.
Among the most affected areas are; Temple Road, Moi Avenue, Hakati Road, Kimathi Street, Haile Selassie Avenue, lower CBD, OTC Racecourse Road, Globe Roundabout, Uyoma Road near St. Peter's Church and the junction of Ronald Ngala and Racecourse Roads towards River Road.
Gang leaders are said to sometimes demand a piece of torn clothing taken from the victims as evidence of members' participation in the robberies when time to share the loot comes, which might explain the violent nature of some of the robberies.
Watch this trio of two men and a woman robbing a lady in broad daylight in the CBD courtesy of Nairobi News.
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Even as Kenyans demand swift action from the authorities, here are a number of measures Nairobians are taking to stay safe in a period characterized by rampant muggings.
For starters, they are avoiding using M-Pesa agents and ATMs located in the heart of the city as the gangs are suspected to always take positions near such locations.
Also, they are avoiding walking in between stationary matatus in the CBD as criminals target people in such spots since it is difficult for onlookers to notice the robberies.
Patrick Owino, a city dweller, experienced this first-hand when he walked in between two bus. In his narration, he stated: “They started by taking my laptop bag from my shoulders and then my wallet and my phone. I tried seeking help from another man who was walking between the vehicles in the opposite direction, only for me to realize that they were together.”
Answering phone calls in the street, especially if your phone is an expensive one, is another way to make yourself an easy target.
Security Expert George Msamali explained in a recent interview that most gangs employ surprise attacks which capitalize on fear. He noted that if Nairobians were alert, they would manage to notice criminals and raise alarms, saving their fellow residents.
"Its normal for human beings to be very scared when something like that happens, and by the time you realize what is happening the criminals are already gone. If Kenyans can be alert they can notice the criminals, because they are also scared and can be caught. If we look out for each other they will be scared," he stated.
Most importantly, being aware of your environment is key to avoiding a bad day in the city centre. If you notice someone following you, stop or walk into the nearest safe structure.
Watch as a mugger snatches a phone during a traffic snarl-up:
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When all is said and done, it, however, remains the responsibility of the authorities to ensure there is adequate security for Kenyans to live and work freely without fear.
