The ongoing construction of the Nairobi Expressway has resulted in a disruption of traffic flow on major roads in Nairobi majorly Mombasa Road, Uhuru Highway and Waiyaki way.
With the current situation, carjackers along the Waiyaki Way have taken advantage targetting unsuspecting motorists plying the route.
The criminals use the sections of the road where vehicles are forced to slow down to pounce on the victims.
A resident who spoke to Kenyans.co.ke narrated of an incident on Sunday, January 31, where when travelling home in a taxi, they were accosted by several men trying to gain access into the vehicle.
"It was around 9 pm at ABC Place, we were turning onto the Redhill bypass when a man ran and tried to open the driver's door. Luckily the door was locked and he couldn't gain access," he narrated.
He added that thugs about four in number tried to gain access and commandeer other vehicles using the route.
The section has no streetlights which make for a perfect hideout for thugs targetting vehicles, especially at night.
In a separate incident, a taxi driver explained how he also fell victim to the thugs along Waiyaki way near the Kangemi area.
To a driver, a pile of stones laid on the road would not raise an alarm on a road that has several diversions.
In this particluar incident, he slowed down upon seeing the stones on the road which had left a narrow path for vehicles to pass through.
"A man came running with a huge rock aiming at my window. I was lucky to have sped off just in time as the rock hit the body of my vehicle and was able to escape," he recounted.
Carjacking incidences in Nairobi are common with the latest National Police Service NPS listing Noonkopir (Daraja next to Saitoti Hospital) in Kitengela, Around Kiserian Primary, Kisaju road stretch in Isinya, Railway line area (Junction of the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway and the stretch to Kikuyu town), Mashimoni (Marimari) road in Kiambu and Limuru road stretch between the town and the Nakuru Highway as the most dangerous roads in the Nairobi area.
Others areas cited in the report were: Adams Arcade matatu stage, City stadium roundabout, Church Army stage on Jogoo Road, Kipande Road, Turnoff to Kenya Institute of Mass Communication from Mombasa Road, Baba Dogo area, the Kangundo/Outer Ring road junction, Bahati estate, Survey of Kenya stage on Thika superhighway, Toi market.
Drivers should take some precautionary measures to take to avoid being carjacked including remaining vigilant while on the road by using all the available mirrors especially when driving along lonely roads could also allow you the priceless seconds needed to spot anyone tailing you and speed up or call for help.
When driving in the city it is advisable to keep your doors locked, and your windows rolled up.
