A chilling video circulating on social media has once again highlighted the growing insecurity in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD). The footage, captured on Tom Mboya Street near Tuskys, shows a gang of young men some armed with batons calmly strolling past a bus stage before suddenly attacking unsuspecting pedestrians. Amid screams and shouts, the assailants make off unbothered, underscoring the audacity of the crime wave.
The incident comes even as police recently reported at least 80 arrests in an ongoing crackdown targeting a surge of street robberies. However, the arrests appear to have done little to deter the criminals, with reports suggesting that the perpetrators have become increasingly bold.
Accounts from victims and witnesses paint a grim picture of the tactics employed by the gang. Some attackers, believed to be street children, reportedly use human waste to intimidate victims before robbing them. Others have allegedly threatened passersby with pocket knives or attempted to inject them with unknown substances. In some cases, criminals disguise themselves as content creators, approaching people with small cameras before brandishing knives or blunt objects.
Social media users have warned the public to remain vigilant. “To all my followers and those watching this video, be careful because phones are being stolen in the CBD. People have complained that their phones have been stolen while in a matatu or while they were alighting,” one user cautioned.
In response to public outcry, the Nairobi County Government and the National Police Service launched a joint operation that resulted in the 80 arrests. Yet, Central Police Commander Philomon Nyakombo downplayed the extent of the threat, stating that officers respond to individual cases rather than the widespread attacks being reported online. “Cases are unique and we act upon them as individual cases, not collectively. The only common areas are around Archives, Galitos, and Kimathi Street. Beyond that, there’s no story,” Nyakombo said.
The growing prevalence of gang-style robberies is not limited to Nairobi. Similar reports have emerged from Malindi, raising concerns that the trend may be spreading to other urban centers. As residents navigate their daily routines, the surge in daylight robberies underscores the urgent need for more coordinated and visible security measures to restore public confidence.
