Kilimani Becoming Hotspot For Bodaboda Thugs- Report

A report released on Thursday, November 10 by security and risk management experts, SF Group has flagged Nairobi's affluent Kilimani estate as a hotspot for robberies across the capital city.

The group in its report gave a detailed explanation of robberies in the area, among luxury residential areas such as Karen, Muthaiga, Kileleshwa, Kilimani, Gigiri, Lavington, Kitisuru and Westlands which have witnessed cases of armed home invasions and other criminal acts targeting foreign nationals primarily because of their perceived wealth in comparison to the average resident.

According to SF, criminals aboard boda-bodas conduct surveillance in these neighbourhoods and rob pedestrians of their phones and valuables at gunpoint.

"A particular hotspot is Kilimani, which has recorded a rise in the frequency of express robberies over the past two months. One particular incident of concern was recorded on September 29, when two gunmen on a boda-boda robbed four German tourists on Kindaruma Road, Kilimani, in broad daylight, as they were boarding a van to head to the Nairobi National Park.

A screen grab of the CCTV video that captured two thugs (in hoodies) mugging a pedestrian along Lenana Road in the Kilimani area, Nairobi on June 25, 2020. /FILE

"The gunmen fired warning shots to disperse a crowd that had gathered at the scene, before escaping towards Ngong Road. The thieves escaped with jewellery, passports and Ksh16,000 (USD132.48) in cash," the security group explained.

Kilimani Notorious For Boda Boda Thugs

It added that the section has recorded a rise in the frequency of such robberies mainly targeting pedestrians, or citizens alighting from or waiting to hail taxis.

It further noted that over the past several weeks, numerous robberies were recorded along George Padmore Road and Ngong Road, close to the Kindaruma Road area.

SF Group narrated an incident on Thursday, September 29 where a mobile telephone thief and an illegal dealer were arrested in Kilimani, following a police follow-up operation. Thieves on up to ten motorcycles had targeted a pedestrian along Kabarnet Road, stealing his phone valued at Ksh23,000 (USD 190.51).

"Police officers chased the suspects, who had fled to Joseph Kang'ethe Road, arresting one. The suspect led the police to the dealer who was trading stolen mobile phones. Two phones, including the one stolen from the victim, were recovered," added the report.

In other parts of the city, thieves target passengers while alighting from public vehicles to steal portable items such as mobile telephones, jewellery and cash. The following day after the incident, at least seven robbers who were armed with bladed weapons shortly after travelling in a public service vehicle (PSV) ‘matatu’ between Kabuagi and Karen shopping centre reportedly robbed a female motorist.

In addition, SF criticised the boda boda sector for having minimal government regulations and little practical control, allowing the popular means of transport to be used by criminals to conduct robberies as they are cheap, numerous, and very mobile even in heavy traffic, offering a quick means of escape from both foot and vehicle police patrols.

Tricks

The Boda-Boda-mounted thieves drive around likely target areas looking for potential victims, operating in pairs, with one driving the motorcycle and the pillion passenger being armed. Some incidents involve groups of thieves on several motorcycles.

They approach victims, threaten them and demand cash and other valuables. Where weapons are threatened, the robbers are almost certainly willing to use lethal force and escape on the boda-boda.

Some of the victims they target include victims who are usually walking or running in what appears to be a safe and well-frequented neighbourhood and are typically out for lunch, walking, carrying cash while shopping, using or holding mobile phones, and have reduced levels of vigilance.

Many of the incidents have occurred during the dark hours but increasing numbers have occurred in daylight.

A case involving killer boda boda gangs that recently occurred in a public area saw Keagan Githua, a 24-year-old Strathmore University graduate, stabbed to death by two thugs during an armed robbery that took place along Kiambu Road in the upmarket Ridgeways Estate on Sunday, October 30.

The family of Keagan Githua, 24, who was stabbed to death by robbers riding on motorbike on Sunday, October 30. /MPASHO

Githua's family had revealed that the assailants, after they stole his phone, had continued to use it days after the crime, oblivious of the potential consequences especially after police called the number.

The family further noted that the thugs dared the police to come after them when a cop from the Muthaiga Police station, where they had reported the case dialled the victim's mobile number.

Another criminal case involving boda boda riders saw one of them attack a man who seemed busy on his phone along Maalim Juma Road, snatching it before fleeing at top speed. This is the same road that hosts the Royal Media Services (RMS) buildings, home to Citizen TV.