Twitter Hashtag Goes Viral After CCTV Footage Of Syokimau Night Burglary [VIDEO]

A hashtag dubbed #SyokimauRobbery went viral on Monday, June 19 after a gang of three was captured by CCTV cameras breaking into several houses and fleeing with valuables of unknown value, which raised alarm among residents of Syokimau, Machakos County.

The footage was shared by one Kirimi Brian and captured one of the gang members quietly emerging with a television set among other household items alleged to have been stolen from a house they had broken into.

Another incident saw a suspect force his way into a house and escape with a television set in a well-crafted scheme that even saw the trio break into a vehicle parked outside a homestead and seize the items that were left inside.

The separate incidents saw Syokimau residents raise concern regarding the alarming rate at which robberies targeting private homes occur, with most of the suspects conducting their heinous acts in the dead of night.

Here is the video:

The rate of increase in crimes in the country is so alarming, people are continuously losing their hardly gained property to the robbers, we need to see @DCI_Kenya taking action against these robbers#SyokimauRobbery pic.twitter.com/aVXTBcmaEf — Kirimi Brian (@Kirimi_Brian_) June 19, 2023

Speculations were rife regarding landlords and security guards colluding with the gangs as some Kenyans alleged that the robberies were inside jobs.

Victims appealed to detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to expedite the investigations and apprehend the suspects roaming free without fear of apprehension. 

"The rate of increase in crimes in the country is so alarming, people are continuously losing their hardly gained property to the robbers, we need to see DCI taking action against these robbers," Kirimi tweeted.

"Property robbery leaves victims feeling vulnerable and unsafe in their own homes. Let's prioritise home security, neighbourhood watch programs, and community engagement to create safer environments for everyone."

"Syokimau homeowners need to take extra precautions and invest in security systems to protect their families. Stay vigilant!" other comments read.

Others urged the National Police Service (NPS) to deploy more officers to enhance security within the estates as some raised fears regarding their children's safety.

"The locals of Syokimau are calling the government to help them weed out the criminals."

"Home invasion can escalate to violence if the intruder encounters the homeowner or other occupants. This can result in physical injuries or even fatalities, further exacerbating the impact on the victims and their loved ones," others opined.

On October 26, 2022, a similar burglary incident occurred, but this time in broad daylight in Makongeni area, Thika, Kiambu County whereby two burglars were caught on CCTV emerging from a residence with an electronic device that was covered in a Maasai shuka and a reusable bag with unknown contents.

One of them was seen carrying a carpet that concealed another electronic device and closed the door behind him before confidently walking away with the contents. The occupant of the house was not present during the time of the incident.

Speaking to Viral Tea, Twitter user Dee Kiluu, who shared the video which went viral, revealed that the two culprits made away with two television (TV) sets, each covered in the Maasai shuka and the mat as well as a laptop and money.

Kiambu County was ranked second behind Nairobi among unsafe counties with high crime rates in the country, according to an NPS report on October 13, 2022.

Nairobi was number one with 6,686 cases, with 1,129 being assault cases. Kiambu was second with 5,715 cases, and Meru County was third with 5,032 incidents.

Nakuru and Machakos were fourth and fifth with 4,281 cases and 3,275 cases, respectively. The data released by the police covered the period between January - December 2021 and further gave a projection for 2022.

NPS in November 2022 warned that thugs mainly target pedestrians, businesses and residential areas. Victims are either mugged in the streets, carjacked, assaulted, or killed.

The police advised Kenyans against using mobile phones and laptops in traffic, to avoid carrying ATM cards and desist from leaving bags, wallets, or any valuable items in their cars.