This archive report was first published on 25 August 2021.
House Burglary: Lessons from Nairobi Residents ¶
House break-ins have become a common occurrence in Nairobi and other urban areas, with some cases involving friends and acquaintances. In this article, we share lessons from Nairobi residents who have fallen victim to house burglaries.
Robin Mwangangi, a resident of Mlolongo, recounted how he was robbed by three women he met through mutual friends. The women feigned to be stranded and were invited to stay at Mwangangi's house, where they burglarized him, stealing items worth over Ksh300,000.
"My TV was missing, we had 3 phones in the house, laptops and other electronics, which got stolen. The microwave was not spared either. These women ransacked the house and took some money that was in my wallet," Mwangangi stated.
Another resident, Maryanne Wangari, shared a similar experience after moving into a new apartment in Kasarani. She returned home to find her house 'swept clean', with her door partially open and the kitchen lights on. Wangari later discovered that the apartment building had a history of security issues and that the management had changed caretakers frequently.
Linah Adhiambo, a Nairobi accountant, was held at gunpoint in her home in a high-end estate. The thugs were specific about the items they wanted and stole electronics, jewelry, and other valuables. Adhiambo credits the police for being aggressive in pursuing the case, but most of the stolen items were not recovered.
Julius Kiragu, the OCPD Starehe, notes that most burglaries are works of people who know their victims. He advises Kenyans to do extensive research on where they are moving to, ask neighbors about the state of security, and verify the identity of employees.
"These are not lone rangers, they are people who have access to your house in one way or another. They study their victims and they know when you are home and when you are away. They have crucial information about you, and they know when to strike," the police boss stated.
On various occasions, the police have arrested domestic workers and security guards for colluding with criminals to raid and rob homes where they work. Kiragu encourages victims of burglaries to report these incidents to the police, noting that if cops notice a pattern in a certain area, it becomes easier to track and apprehend the perpetrators.
Published on August 25, 2021, at 7:14 PM EAT.
