The state of insecurity within Nairobi has been a cause for concern among motorists in the recent past who have resorted to adapt to unique tactics in order to protect themselves.
According to recent reports, muggings targeting taxi drivers have become prevalent due to the nature of their job.
Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke, Michael Nzuva, an Uber driver, detailed how he has resorted to hiding a bow and arrow at his dashboard for safety purposes.
"With the recent crimes, it's hard to drive around Nairobi without a weapon. For instance, I was heading to Muthurwa one time to pick a client when I got ambushed by thugs and they stole my side mirrors, which I replaced.
"However, days later, while parking at Kenya Cinema, I found them gone again," Nzuva lamented.
He pointed out that the situation has become dire so much so that, other taxi drivers have had to purchase crude weapons such as knives, rungus (club) and hide them in strategic locations within their vehicles.
Nzuva added that drivers are in constant communication with other motorists in order to know the preferable and safer routes to take.
He added that through WhatsApp groups, calls, texts, they alert one another on areas deemed to be dangerous hotspots.
Among these areas include the Kariokor roundabout, around Kenya Cinema, Ruiru bypass along Thika road and Muthaiga area heading to Pangani.
Nzuva gave an instance of driving a passenger who had been stabbed by robbers and managed to take him to hospital.
"I have once transported a wounded passenger who had been stabbed several times along Muthaiga area. Fortunately, he recovered after taking him to hospital," he pointed out.
Use of proxy valuables such as fake phones has also become a nifty tactic for the taxi drivers who have to protect their bread and butter.
The fake phones are placed at visible locations in the vehicle such as the armrest to trick the thieves into stealing dummies instead of the valuable gadgets.
The escalating cases of crime in Nairobi has led to the majority of Kenyans taking to social media to lament their encounter with thugs with KBC news anchor Shiksha Arora being the latest victim.
In a detailed post on social media, she narrated how thugs made away with her phone and purse at the Globe Roundabout, Nairobi.
In a recent Engage the IG Forum on social media, Inspector General Hilary Mutyambai alluded to this pervasive crime and pointed out that a special unit had been formed to curb the cases.
"We have police officers on patrol 24/7. We also have an elaborate anti-agency team comprised of a special crime prevention unit that deals with homicides. We also encourage members of the public to report to the police should they spot any unusual activity," Mutyambai stated.
