Beware Of Phone Snatchers: US Embassy Issues Security Alert On Nairobi Estates

The United States (US) Embassy has issued a security alert over reports of increased criminal activity in residential estates in Nairobi County.

In a statement dated Friday, March 15, the Embassy cited the rise in petty crimes targeting residents living in the capital such as phone and purse snatching.

"There are reports of increased criminal activity in residential areas of Nairobi.

"Incidents include crimes of opportunity such as purse and phone snatching. The government of Kenya is taking measures to place more police in high-crime areas," read the alert in part.

As a result, the US Embassy advised Americans living in Nairobi to take the following actions:

• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Keep a low profile.
• Do not display signs of wealth, such as wearing expensive jewelry or watches, or flashing large sums of money; keep valuables, such as phones, concealed.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt and remain calm. Confrontation with these individuals often leads to violence.
• In traffic, keep your doors locked and windows up.

Notably, the Embassy did not immediately state which estates in particular are at the highest risk of insecurity.

It is not uncommon for the US Embassy to issue security alerts within the Kenyan capital.

However, American citizens need to stay informed while in Kenya so as not to be met by unfortunate insecurity occurrences during their visit. The insecurity instances can also include terrorism.

On October 13, 2023, the US government warned Americans against visiting high-traffic areas frequented by foreigners and tourists in Nairobi and elsewhere in Kenya.

Of specific focus is locations frequented by US citizens and other foreigners and tourists in Nairobi and elsewhere in Kenya which the Embassy noted had continued to pose as attractive targets to terrorists planning to conduct potentially imminent attacks. 

"Terrorist groups could attack with little or no warning, targeting hotels, embassies, restaurants, malls and markets, schools, police stations, places of worship, and other places frequented by foreigners and tourists," stated the Embassy.

Crime Data

Statistics recently released by the National Crime Research Centre (NCRC) showed how people are targeted in crime mostly based on their economic status, gender and age.

"The most prevalent crimes experienced were highlighted as housebreaking (28.5 per cent), general stealing (26.6 per cent), theft of stock (20.7 per cent), burglary (12.9 per cent), stealing from a person (16.6 per cent) stealing from a building (12.8 per cent), robbery with violence (9.8 per cent) and theft of farm produce (4.3 per cent).

"On the day of the week when crime victimisation mostly occurs,(52.0 per cent) said no specific day,(16.2 per cent) flagged out Saturdays,(9.5 per cent) pointed out Sundays, and (8.4 per cent) profiled Fridays," read the report in part.