This archive report was first published on 7 July 2021.
On July 6, 2021, a shocking incident took place at the Roysambu roundabout in Kasarani, Nairobi. A police officer controlling traffic at the roundabout lost his phone to robbers on a motorcycle in a matter of seconds.
The theft was captured on a motorist's dashboard camera a few minutes past 5pm. The footage shows three people on a motorbike approaching the roundabout from the Thika side. One of the pillion passengers quickly grabbed the officer's phone from his right ear, and the robbers sped away.
The officer, shocked by the incident, attempted to chase after the robbers but gave up when he realized they had widened the distance. He then approached a nearby boda boda rider and engaged him in a brief conversation.
The video of the incident has been circulating on social media, with many users condemning the brazen theft. Nairobi regional police boss Augustine Nthumbi assured that the robbers would be arrested soon, saying, 'When such incidents occur, you'd hear we've arrested the suspects two or three days later.'
Nthumbi also urged city residents to be vigilant while walking in the central business district, saying, 'Even as police try everything possible to ensure your safety is guaranteed, you, as a civilian, also have a role to play.'
The city police boss added that their efforts to minimize brazen robberies in the commercial hub have not been futile, citing a reduction in mugging cases in Nairobi. He said, 'Cases of muggings have reduced in Nairobi. You can take a day or two before hearing of a mugging case.'
