Motorists Association of Kenya, umbrella driver and vehicle owner advocacy, on Thursday, April 6, raised the alarm over rising cases of phone snatching.
In a statement, the association identified Westlands among the hotspots where passengers lose property to phone snatchers.
Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) was highlighted as the major target area, with thieves narrowing down on passengers caught up in traffic.
"Beware! Reports of snatching from vehicle occupants are high within Nairobi CBD," the association warned.
Other hotspots included areas around Ngong Racecourse, various roundabouts in the city, and roads experiencing traffic jams.
"Passengers and commuters in public service vehicles (PSVs) are advised to use phones with caution next to windows," the body warned.
In a recent interview, one of the victims told a local publication that the snatchers pounce in the morning and late in the evening.
Her handbag was snatched as she prepared to board a matatu near the Westlands roundabout.
"I didn’t even get a chance to see which direction he took off. He just disappeared between cars and people. Something needs to be done. These robbers, I believe, operate around this area, and the police can arrest them if they want," one of the victims told Citizen Digital on Wednesday, April 5.
By the time of this publication, the National Police Service had not issued a statement regarding the surge in snatching cases in some parts of the city.
Past Operation
On November 14, 2022, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki announced a multi-agency operation to tackle the then-rising crime cases in the city.
"We have witnessed increasing criminal activity within Nairobi. Small group of criminals armed with knives and other weapons is terrorizing the citizens of this city as well as other urban centres. Those boys who have dared the government and want to tell us that they can take over the city and make it a city of crime. We have also heard you and therefore we are coming after you effective immediately,” Kindiki announced.
"We have taken measures already in regard to counter-terrorism, and respose to bandits and banditry. In this regard, the leadership and command of the police has changed the command of Nairobi city police deployment effective immediately," he added.
Following the announcement, the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) apprehended several suspects during raids.
