Police in Buruburu have arrested matatu crew for interrogation over a hijacking incident along Jogoo Road in Nairobi. On Wednesday night, at least two matatus were attacked by a gang that snatched away mobile phones, money and other valuables from passengers.
One of the matatus with at least 58 passengers on board was hijacked by the robbers reportedly armed with pistols and knives when it approached Burma market.
The gangs threatened the passengers being ferried to Buruburu and Umoja estates, wielding the weapons the moment the vehicle approached Burma and demanded money.
After the incidence, the attackers are said to have alighted along Jogoo Road and moved on to another nearby matatu. Police have not arrested the perpetrators yet.
A series of robberies and mugging incidents in Buruburu area and Jogoo road have put police in the area on the spot with area residents accusing the police in the area of sleeping on the job.
Nairobi County Commandant Joseph Ole Tito, when asked to comment on the matter referred us to Buruburu OCPD Geoffrey Mayek. However, Mr. Mayek declined to comment on the series of security lapses.
Early this month, three men riding on a bodaboda robbed a man at gunpoint along Jogoo road. A matatu driver who witnessed the incident that occurred at around 8 pm noted how the motorcycle snaked through the heavy traffic on the road and dropped the robbers next to Land-Cruiser V8.
“The young men were on a bodaboda, they were riding in the middle of the heavy traffic jam and when they got near his car, the three of them alighted as the rider sped off.
"Within minutes, they pulled out guns and made him stop and took away three bags before vanishing into a dark area on the roadside near Donholm,” recounted the driver.
He has witnessed several carjacking and robbery incidents in the last seven years he has been driving along Jogoo road.
[caption caption="A section of Jogoo road "]
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