This archive report was first published on 12 June 2021.
Police in Nairobi have been cracking down on a spate of robberies targeting motorists along the Southern Bypass road. On June 12, detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Police Service arrested three suspects, including a 16-year-old Form 2 student, in connection with the robberies.
The suspects were arrested in Kibra, Nairobi, following a detailed analysis and investigations that involved the use of Cyber and forensic analysis techniques. During the swoop, Bonface Winjira, 30, and Alex Mboya, 35, were arrested at a mobile shop in Lindi Kibra.
According to the police, mobile phones robbed from victims along the busy highway were sold cheaply to locals in Lindi, Kibra, at Basement Crew Mobile Shop operated by Winjira, who is the key suspect. “Phones robbed from motorists along the highway are sold cheaply to locals in Lindi, Kibra,” said detectives.
On June 3, police disguised as joggers shot dead two suspects who attempted to mug them along the highway. The robbers are said to be targeting motorists whose vehicles have mechanical problems along the highway.
Police have increased their patrol along the highway due to rising cases of robberies, which have seen motorists mugged mostly at night. Five suspects linked to robberies along the same road were arrested and arraigned last month in a continuous effort by the security forces to curb crime along the highway.