Armed robbers improvised tricks to beat police dragnets, prompting the police to scale up the level of security in Nairobi.
In November 2022, Nairobi residents raised concerns over increasing cases of insecurity.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) on Tuesday, November 8, highlighted one of the cases as it apprehended a wanted armed gang leader in Kayole, Nairobi.
Survey
DCI stated that the attackers who wreak havoc in the city carry out prior surveillance to identify their target.
"Before pouncing on their prey, they conduct a proper area survey to establish the escape plan and how to orchestrate their robbery plan.
"One of the gang members then shares the intelligence gathered with other attackers briefing them on how to rob and escape without being apprehended," DCI exposed their tactics.
Eyewitnesses and Tampering With Crime Scenes
After executing the criminal act, one of the gang members remains behind, acts as an eyewitness, and even volunteers to inform the media about what transpired.
According to DCI, the gangs are well organised to the extent that they assign one member to remain behind and compromise any incriminating evidence.
Boda Boda Riders
Most of the robbers on police radar in Nairobi reportedly disguise themselves as boda boda operators.
The trick was exposed after DCI officers, on Tuesday, November 8, arrested the main suspect linked to a series of robberies within the city.
DCI accused the suspect of robbing a businessman who had withdrawn money from a bank in Donholm, Nairobi.
He was also linked to numerous city mobile money shop break-ins. Following his arrest, Director of Criminal Investigation Amin Ibrahim ordered a nationwide crackdown on gangs.
"Consequently, the DCI Director Mohamed Amin has called on detectives countrywide to be on the lookout for criminals terrorising innocent members of the public, especially those using motorbikes as their getaway means," DCI's statement read in part.
The operation also came after a series of complaints raised by Nairobi residents over a spike in the crime rate.
Among the cases was the stabbing of a youth by robbers riding on a motorcycle along Ridgeways along Kiambu Road.
The 24-year-old was an Information Technology graduate who had just secured an employment opportunity.
