Insecurity dogs Lang’ata residents

Residents of Lang’ata and the surrounding areas are blaming police for the rising cases of insecurity.

The recent murder of a businessman, Moses Muchangi Njiru, is the latest harrowing incident that has left many residents worried. Njiru was shot dead in a broad daylight attack on October 26 near his M-Pesa shop. The killers didn’t steal anything from the businessman.

A witness who reportedly saw the unfolding event claims to have heard Njiru pleading with the gunmen to take the money which was inside his car and spare his life.

“They went ahead and shot him even as he pleaded for mercy. The murderers sped off in their getaway car,” said Henry Ibwaga, a village elder.

Many theories have emerged over the possible motive behind the killing, with others claiming the late Njiru might have been murdered by rivals who considered him a threat in the matatu business.

The late businessman was reportedly one of the directors of Rasasi Investments, which owns a fleet of matatus plying between Lang’ata and the city centre.

There were claims that he was embroiled in a route dispute with some matatu owners who viewed him as a threat. While others claim Njiru, a former police officer, was killed over a deal gone sour.

“It is easy to rule out ‘normal’ robbery because of the circumstances surrounding his death. He was shot in front of one of his workers who was not harmed. It is clear the killers were after him,” said the Chief Inspector who once worked with Njiru at the Police Dog Unit in Lang’ata.

The officer claimed Njiru was eyeing the Ongata Rongai and Karen routes.

“May be some people in the transport sector were not happy about his intentions to expand to other routes,” he added.

Nairobi County CID boss Nicholas Kamwende indicated that they were yet to establish the motive behind Njiru’s killing.

“We don’t have anything to share at the moment,” said the senior detective. Locals claim the Southern Bypass is not safe because of policing confusion between two Karen and Lang’ata police stations.

Recently criminals gangs have been attacking motorists and pedestrians on the bypass with the stretch near Kibra described as very dangerous.

Despite the crime spot being close to Lang’ata Police Station, it falls under the jurisdiction of Karen Police Station, which is many kilometres away. Officers from Karen Police Station rarely conduct patrols along the insecure stretch, residents claim.

“Boundary is the main problem. That stretch is a no-man’s land where criminals take advantage due to the policing confusion. It should be brought under Lang’ata Police Station. It does not make sense to raise alert officers in Karen, since the criminals would have disappeared by the time they arrive,” said Ibwaga.

Lang’ata OCPD Elijah Mwangi assured residents that security will improve following the deployment of a senior officer from Kasarani to specifically take charge of the bypass.

“There is a police Inspector who will be manning the bypass. He has firm instructions to ensure the road is safe,” stated the police boss.