According to the Kenya 2020 Crime & Safety Report, an annual report produced in conjunction with the Regional Security Office at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, street crime remains a serious problem, particularly in Nairobi.
“Most street crime involves multiple armed assailants. In some instances, large crowds of street criminals incite criminal activity,” reads an excerpt from the report.
This mirrored the Nairobi County Crime Outlook 2018 report that listed Muggings(68.8%) Stealing(54.9%) and Burglary & Breakings(51.1%) as the most prevalent types of crimes prevalent in the capital city.
Victims have gone on to highlight the Kenya National Archives and KenCom Bus Station, along River Road, Kimathi Street, the long stretch from Nyayo House up to Integrity Center, Ngara, Mlango Kubwa and parts of Pangani, as some of the most dangerous spots in and around the Central Business District (CBD).
The scary bit is that the brazen gangs carry out their attacks during the day, walking in groups of four to 10 terrorising innocent Kenyans.
In January 2020, a customer who had withdrawn cash at an ATM along River Road was surrounded by a gang who made away with Ksh25,000
Members of the public gave a chase resulting in one of the gangsters dropping the cash.
However, instead of giving the cash back to the victim, the pursuers scrambled over the cash and divided it among themselves.
This was a unique occurrence in that if you are mugged in Nairobi, regardless of the time of day, you are on your own. People do not usually stop to help for fear of becoming victims too.
Most of the crime happening in the city has been tied to the infamous 40 brothers group who have allegedly divided the CBD into zones.
Police have repeatedly advised pedestrians to avoid lonely paths and street lanes, using the phone while walking and to always be alert to people in your proximity.
Bus stage areas have also been highlighted as hotspots as the gang members take advantage of the congestion, especially during rush hour, to steal from unsuspecting Kenyans.
The National Police Service also published a report on neighborhoods where you are likely to be mugged in Nairobi.
Source: KENYAGIST.COM
