Matatu Crew Accused of Helping Thugs Rob Passengers

Police have launched a manhunt for a driver and a tout who are suspected to have colluded with thugs in robbing passengers on Tuesday morning.

The incident was reported in Kasarani area and according to Nairobi County Commander Joseph Ole Tito, the matatu crew may have had a hand in the robbery.

Reports indicate that a group of four men masquerading as passengers brandished knives and ordered occupants to surrender their valuables.

A woman who was seated at the front then locked the bus and hid the key as passengers raised alarm.

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The robbers panicked and fled and interestingly, the matatu crew also took off, according to Citizen Digital.

No one was injured in the 6.30 am incident but police stated that they would also question the woman who took the key.

In January, it emerged that robbers posing as matatu crew have been stealing valuables from passengers and later forcing them out of the vehicles along Thika Road.

Another trick used was a carefully planned out act by smartly dressed women.

One victim who spoke to Kenyans.co.ke revealed that she was waiting to board a matatu during rush hour when a smartly dressed lady dropped her handbag.

"We were waiting to board a matatu around Roysambu and there was a scrum to get in.

"I was surrounded by smartly dressed women who were also pushing to get in but one of them dropped a handbag right outside the door.

"I decided to pick it up despite being pushed from behind and I handed it to her," she stated.

Upon getting inside the matatu, she realised that her handbag was open and her purse was missing. The lady was nowhere to be seen.

An official at Matatu Culture - a body charged with instilling discipline in the matatu industry- told Kenyans.co.ke that they always report theft cases but police have taken little action.

He admitted that such incidents were on the rise but also urged passengers to remain vigilant and smoke out thugs in matatus.

[caption caption="File Photo"][/caption]

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