Nairobi police boss pledges more patrol officers as muggings spike
The National Police Service will deploy more patrol officers in Nairobi following a public outcry over a spike in muggings and thefts.
Nairobi Regional Commander Augustine Nthumbi said the officers will include GSU, regular police and plainclothes officers.
“Do not be scared if you come across many officers in uniform and plain clothes. They are deployed to protect you from muggers, robbers and other petty criminals that you have been complaining about on social media,” he said.
A series of tweets shared by concerned Kenyans on social media in the past few weeks urged the public to avoid locations in the city said to be notorious hideouts for gangs robbing pedestrians and motorists.
The gang is said to be working in cahoots with street children who beg on streets and wreak havoc on uncooperative targets.
KBC presenter Shiksha Arora said last week she was mugged by unknown assailants while in traffic at the Globe Roundabout.
Speaking to Nation.Africa by phone, Ms Arora said the incident took place at around 5pm as she was heading to Serena Hotel for a KBC relaunch event.
Another Kenyan said he had an encounter with criminals in the city centre.
Fallen victim to the gangs
“Avoid the general 680 hotel, Bruce House area of Standard street all the way to Jubilee Insurance and City Hall and Supreme court especially past 7:30pm. There is a gang of about four to six guys who are mugging people. One walks with a dagger,” tweeted Chris Mwenda.
“If you somehow make it and head up to Kencom, avoid Aga Khan walk or the Reinsurance plaza side. Too many gangs operate in that area plus they are in (cahoots) with street kids in the area. Lucky to be home in one peace but eh, Nairobi city can finish someone,” he added.
The tweets prompted DCI George Kinoti to urge people who have fallen victim to the gangs to make formal complaints at the Nairobi Central DCI offices.
“While many victims take to social media to narrate their ordeals in the hands of the mugger gangs (which is good sensitisation), we further urge them to formalise those complaints as guided, to facilitate the prosecution process once arrests are effected,” the DCI tweeted.
The increase in muggings has prompted the US Embassy in Nairobi to caution Americans living or travelling in Nairobi to be aware of their surroundings and avoid crowds.
