Nairobians live dangerously at the mercy of deadly gangs

A while ago, I wrote an article about crime in the city of Nairobi. I described the tricks they use to subdue their victims and the hotspots within the metropolis, where you were likely to lose items by being mugged, pick-pocketed, drugged, or even and snatching your phone, as you sit in the matatu or car, taking a call or just scrolling on it, to catch up on social media.

The title of that article was, "The smart thieves of Nairobi and the hot spots in which they operate" Today I want to delve on the same topic, citing an incident I witnessed in the city this week , that left me terrified to the core. In that small restaurant along Halle Selassie Avenue, every person including the service personnel were left speechless, for what they saw.

I was seated with a Teachers Union official, who is a friend, during lunch. We had just cleared our meals and before we could leave, we skimmed through the political columns of the dailies, making observations here and there about the just concluded party nominations.

Suddenly, we heard a woman shouting from outside, where our backs were facing. We saw her grope for neck as if she was itching, "I can't see it. What is it that you want?" She asked one of the two men who had followed her into the busy low income eatery. The one in front looked tall and muscular with a faded jeans. His tone was controlled, yet scary. "lete hiyo kitu umevaa Kwa shingo!" (Hand in what you are wearing on your neck).

"Yes that one.... "said the shorter teenage looking accomplice in tow, pointing towards the scared looking girl, who had entered the kitchen, confusing the cooks; trying to evade the mean looking guys.

" For the last time I say: bring that chain!!! " the burly man ordered. Within a minute the hair left the lady's neck and was thrown onto to the criminal’s hand. The two guys vanished.

It happened fast, we could ask to know what was going on. The victim narrated to us how they had pursued her all the way from Muthurwa Market, at one point threatening to shoot her or going to ensure she finds her way out of the town unless she handed over that necklace she was wearing. Nairobians are on their own, criminals roam freely.