The government has issued an alert to all matatu users following an increase in robberies targeting them.
Ruiru sub-county police commander James Ng’etich stated that matatu operators have been colluding with thugs along Thika road to rob unsuspecting customers.
He disclosed that the criminals had devised a new way of working in which they strategically place the thugs inside their vehicles.
The operators then invite unsuspecting passengers to board their matatu before all hell breaks loose when the vehicle is in transit. The criminals wield blunt objects threatening to harm the occupants.
The perpetrators often target early morning or late night passengers.
Two suspects have since been arrested in connection with the syndicate and were taken to Ruiru Police Station.
“About two weeks ago at around 8pm, passengers aboard a matatu from Roysambu headed to Githurai 45 were robbed of money and mobile phones,” he stated.
This comes roughly a month after 18 members believed to be part of a gang that has been robbing passengers in Nairobi were arrested.
The gangsters were apprehended in Eastleigh and Pumwani areas of the city.
In a statement at the time, DCI explained that the suspects had been illegally manning stages and engaging in other organized crimes.
"A joint operation by DCI and (National Police) has resulted in the arrest of 18 suspected criminals in Eastleigh & Pumwani," read the statement in part.
