There was a time Nairobi used to be called Nairobbery because of the bank robberies and crime in the capital city– sadly, it appears those dark days are back.
In the last several weeks, residents of Nairobi have implored the government to intervene and stop the many insecurity incidents that have recently defined the capital.
Monday, the Cabinet Secretary of Interior, Professor Kithure Kindiki, while addressing the press at Harambee House, shot a ‘we have accepted your challenge and are coming for the duel’ kind of warning to the gangs.
“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 heard you, and therefore, we are coming effective immediately,” Kindiki said.
“The team will get our errant sons, maybe daughters, out of our streets and put them where criminals belong. We cannot trade our freedom and security for anything,” he added.
Kenyans, fond of using social media to raise issues with the government, have camped online, sending scary videos–a mix of old and recent video clips, of armed criminal gangs walking around the city flashing guns in broad daylight and robbing with ease. The videos have also sent chilling jitters down most city residents and Kenyans in other towns.
TikToker TruthWatchDog has been sounding the alarms on all social media platforms asking the administration to bring back fired cops and admonishing the thugs. (See video at the end of the article)
Last week, through social media, Lilian Munyua, a Kenyatta National Hospital doctor, advised the public to stay vigilant of their surroundings.
“The hospital is receiving four to seven victims on average per day stabbed within the city,” Munyua said.
She said most cases occur along Thika Super Highway, KCA University underpass to Total exit, and Globe Roundabout.
“The hospital is receiving four to seven victims on average per day stabbed within the city,” Dr. Lillian Munyua, KNH said.
Other areas that have witnessed muggings are the National Archives area within the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) Fig Tree in Ngara, Waiyaki Way at ABC, and Nails along the Outer Ring Road connecting to Thika Super Highway.
“If you have family or close friends coming to Nairobi or residing here, please advise them appropriately,” Munyua said. “I have helplessly watched young and old, men and women, breathe their last while trying to save them. Some are in ICU while others have survived but with lifelong injuries.”
Recent incidents have happened within Samiti Prison, where a resident of Jacaranda was a victim of an attack from the notorious gangs using motorbikes.
The motorbike gang tracked him as he headed home. The assailants stabbed him in the chest as they tried to snatch his valuables.
The police and Kindiki need to be on the same page.
Last week, Nairobi commander of police James Mugera denied allegations that there has been an increase in crime in recent weeks. He said these reports are aimed to portray the government poorly and cast doubt on President Ruto’s new administration.
He said only nine incidents had been reported to the police as of October 2022.
“The reports you are seeing on various media platforms are out to tarnish the image of the new administration. The number of violent robberies in September and October declined,” the police boss said.
Mugera urged residents to stay calm and continue with their activities. He instructed the public to desist from making and sharing statements on incidents that occurred long ago.
While the crime controversy gathers speed, boda-boda riders are on the spot and are viewed as accomplices. Their motorcycles have been spotted, in most cases, being used as a getaway means.
Boda Boda Association Of Kenya Secretary General Ken Onyango, in a meeting with the police, has agreed to work with the security forces to ensure perpetrators of these crimes are brought to justice.
Onyango said the city has many riders who have good motives, and those engaging in crime are out to tarnish their credibility and reputation.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja Sunday also defended the boda boda operators, though he said the county will soon re-register them.
“People engaged in the boda-boda sector are not thieves; there could be one or two elements tarnishing the name of the industry. Once we have registered them, the riders will have reflector jackets that will have their area of operation.
Sakaja also said the Boda Boda would have new designated points for picking up and dropping off pillion passengers.
“We have already started the process,” the governor added.
Other Kenyans now blame the National Police Service for the dissolution of the Special Service Unit, a controversial elite squad domiciled under the DCI’s jurisdiction.
In October, President William Ruto said the Special Service Unit (SSU) was responsible for extrajudicial killings and the forced disappearance of civilians. The unit is said to be responsible for dumping bodies recovered in River Yala.
Ruto ordered the unit’s dissolution. Several officers attached to the team have since been charged with killing.
Four officers from the disbanded unit are also charged with the disappearance of two Indian tourists. The Indian citizens are believed to have been working for the Kenya Kwanza campaign before they disappeared with a trace.
There are allegations the crime wave has spiked because police have stopped enforcing the law, watching on the sidelines as gangs terrorize wananchi. The officers are on a go-slow in solidarity with their fired colleagues, who they say were victimized for following orders.
A caller to Maina Kageni’s popular Morning Conversation radio show on Kenyan’s Classic 105, who claimed to be a police officer, appeared to confirm police had downed their tools.
“Sisi polisi tumekaliwa, we can’t do anything. Watu wanaogopa IPOA. Wewe unatembea na gun, lakini huwezi tumia. Sasa sisi tumecease tu kufanya kazi,” The officer said.
The officer said cops are afraid of enforcing the law because policing oversight body Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) might charge them with crimes against citizens.
IPOA has not commented on the current crime wave, but its website highlights several fatal police-involved shooting investigations.
“If we don’t address the issues around the state of the economy, unemployment, and underemployment, we will be lying to ourselves that the rate of crime will go down,” Raymond Omollo, Interior PS Nominee.
During her vetting, Interior Principal Secretary nominee Raymond Omollo opined that unemployment and the poor state of the country’s economy are the reason some youths engage in crimes. He said a permanent solution to offering jobs to the many jobless would be a remedy to curb insecurity.
“If we don’t address the issues around the state of the economy, unemployment, and underemployment, we will be lying to ourselves that the rate of crime will go down,” Omollo said.
Sunday, governor Sakaja banned the hawking of goods on footbridges within Nairobi. He also ordered the removal of street families residing on footbridges to curb increased crime within Nairobi and its environs.
Thirdway Alliance leader Dr. Ekuru Aukot, through his Twitter, handle Sunday, blamed the government for laxity.
“The level of violent crimes across Nairobi is really frightening. The number of Kenyans being attacked, maimed, and stabbed to death is troubling. There are no police patrols or responses, as they appear to be indifferent. It is very worrying. I dare ask IG Koome, are police on a go-slow re crime in the city?” Aukot tweeted.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Inspector of Police Noor Gabow has directed all key departments to heighten security as the country heads to December holidays.
“This is the time when crimes of opportunity rise targeting the vulnerable. I, therefore, direct all officers, both uniformed and civilian, to focus on service delivery to the public in this period through closer engagements and collaborations,” Gabow said in a memo to police bosses on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police, Japhet Koome, has said the police would use the powers bestowed upon them by the constitution to deal with the rampant insecurity.
“Any criminal trying to pickpocket or snatch jewelry along the streets shall have themselves to blame as they shall be dealt with firmly,” IG Koome said.
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