Family's lucky escape after violent attack along Southern Bypass

A section of the Southern Bypass in Nairobi. The Southern Bypass in Nairobi has become a dangerous hotspot where criminals target unsuspecting motorists to rob them and unleash violence. Security officers say attackers often place stones on the road or use large rocks to block traffic, forcing vehicles to stop, creating a perfect chance to strike. The latest incident involves a family traveling from Bomet to Nairobi during the festive season who fell victim to the criminals. On the night of Saturday, December 28, a family of four, including siblings Mercy Chepkemoi (pictured) and Prudence Chepngeno, was driving along the bypass near the Dagoretti-Karen turn when their car struck stones deliberately placed on the road by criminals. "We had left Bomet at 3 p.m. and were approaching Nairobi around 7:30 p.m. when we saw the car ahead of us swerve suddenly to avoid hitting something. Unfortunately for us it was too late to avoid the stones. Two tires burst, and we pulled over to assess the damage," Chepkemoi said. According to Chepkemoi, the area appeared relatively safe, with streetlights on and a few cars passing by. But as the family worked to replace the punctured tires, a machete-wielding man emerged from the shadows, launching assault on her brothers. "I saw a man raise a machete, aiming at my brother. I screamed, but he moved too fast, slashing my brother from the ear to the neck, leaving him unconscious. He then turned on my other brother, cutting him before he too, collapsed," recounted Chepkemoi. In the ensuing chaos, Chepngeno ran to the other side of the road seeking help, while Chepkemoi locked herself in the car. The assailant shattered the windshield and driver's window, snatching a handbag and a phone before demanding more valuables. "He came back, broke the window, and threatened me with the machete. I handed over my phone, and he disappeared momentarily," Chepkemoi added. According to her, the criminal returned a second time, each time escalating his terror. "He fought with my sister over the steering wheel, then slashed her face. We were bleeding and terrified, but no car stopped to help us until a truck driver came to our rescue, helped us stop another car and we were taken to hospital," she said. Hellen Baliach, their mother who had to travel to Nairobi to check on the state of her children after they were informed of the attack is now pleading for justice. Baliach, called on the police to speed up the investigations and arrest the suspect.The attack has left emotional and physical scars on the family, but they remain hopeful that justice will be served. "We just want to heal and move on, but the authorities must ensure that no one else endures what we went through," said Chepngeno. Meanwhile, in a statement posted on X yesterday, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed the arrest of one suspect, identified as Martin Otieno, in connection with similar crimes. "In response to reports of a string of robbery incidents plaguing motorists on the Southern Bypass in Nairobi, a dynamic initiative ramped up patrol activities in the area. This coordinated effort led to the swift arrest of Martin Otieno, who brazenly attempted to rob unsuspecting drivers yesterday along this notorious stretch of road," the DCI noted. The agency noted that the suspect's strategy is to place a stone to obstruct traffic, creating the perfect opportunity to launch his assault. DCI noted that while on patrol, officers were alerted by a loud crash, and when they rushed to the scene, they discovered that a Volkswagen, bearing the registration KYW 690, had collided with the stone as it drove towards Ngong Road. According to occupants of the car, the DCI noted, after hitting the stone, the suspect emerged from a nearby thicket, where he immediately confronted and robbed them of their valuables. "The patrolling officers pursued the fleeing suspect into the nearby thicket where he was apprehended. He is set to be processed for arraignment on Monday, January 6, 2025," noted DCI. In November last year, a cyclist narrowly escaped death after being ambushed on the road. She was stabbed, dragged into the nearby forest, and robbed of her belongings, including her bike. Rescuers found her unconscious, with her bloodied clothes nearby.

Family's lucky escape after violent attack along Southern Bypass

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