Following increased cases of muggings and other petty crimes in the Central Business district (CBD), a new police unit has been formed to improve the security of Nairobi residents.
During a press conference on Wednesday, October 14, Nairobi Police Commander Rashid Yakub announced that they had formed an anti-mugging squad to deal with the cases.
"The unit is a combination of uniformed and plain-clothed officers who will deal with cases of pick-pocketing, phone-grabbing, and other petty offenses that have become rampant within the CBD," he disclosed.
The officers are disguised as hawkers, passengers on public transport vehicles and even pedestrians to hunt down the criminals.
Yakub further revealed that the unit was also receiving intelligence from members of the public with officers stalking known hotspots.
Mugging hotspots in the Central Business District have been identified as Temple Road, Hakati Road, KTDA area Moi Avenue, Haile Selassie from railway termini towards Jesus is Alive Ministry Church, Racecourse Road, Uyoma Road, the junction of Ronald Ngala, Pumwani Road and the Globe Interchange.
Yakub further revealed that an operation by the unit had already netted 169 mobile phones and more than 25 laptops and desktops.
He stated that 14 suspects had been arrested and charged. The police also recovered stolen property from the suspects.
"Those who have lost phones, laptops and cameras in recent past are requested to go to the Nairobi Regional Police Headquarters (Opposite Integrity House) and identify their property. Proof of ownership will be required before gadget is released," the DCI directed.
Here is a video of the recovered items at DCI offices in Nairobi:
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A Nairobi resident (identity withheld) who spoke to Kenyans.co.ke revealed that he had witnessed the officers take down a suspect in September, 2020.
"A woman had her mobile phone grabbed from her on Ronald Ngala Street, and before the robber could get far, an officer in plainclothes accosted him and handcuffed him. It happened in a matter of minutes," the source explained.
Robbers in Nairobi are known to employ use of dirty tricks to rob unsuspecting residents.
Some will distract their targets before snatching their phones either on the streets or inside matatus. Others use motorcycles to conduct hasty heists while others smash cars in parking lots making away with valuable items.
