This archive report was first published on 11 June 2021.
June 11, 2021 - Nairobi's streets have witnessed a new wave of crime, as thieves adapt to evade detection.
Passengers have reported a new tactic, where conductors in matatus claim the door is not properly locked, prompting the passenger seated next to the door to open and relock it.
While in the process, thieves steal phones from unsuspecting passengers.
"Please, the door is not locked properly, let me open it and lock it again," a conductor would say, according to a victim's account.
However, once the passenger realizes their phone is missing, they are told it fell down while closing the door.
"Later, I couldn't find my phone, the conductor said he saw something fall behind, I went to check, but the matatu had vanished," a victim recounted.
Two passengers have come forward with similar stories, highlighting the need for increased vigilance among matatu passengers.
Story by Steve Osaka.
