Police in Nairobi are investigating a series of theft incidents involving a gang of five individuals, led by an elderly woman believed to be in her eighties.
According to police reports, the gang targets electronic goods and M-Pesa shops in Nairobi and neighboring towns. The gang members include two men and three women, all of Asian origin.
The gang has been in operation for the last three years, with no reported incidents of firearm use. Police say one of the gangsters is well-known and was brought up in South C before moving to an unknown location two years ago.
Modus Operandi ¶
In most reported cases, the elderly gang leader accompanies her accomplices to the scene of the crime, pretending to be a first-time visitor to the country in need of exchanging foreign currency for Kenyan money.
The gang has been captured on several CCTV footages, including one incident where a male gang member pretended to be checking a bed sheet, blocking the shop owner's view while his accomplice stole goods, including mobile phones.
Recent Incidents ¶
Langata OCPD Elijah Maina said they were investigating a case in which the gang stole money from an M-Pesa shop in Dam 2 Estate in Langata. The elderly woman and her accomplice pretended to want to withdraw Sh70,000 from M-Pesa, with the young woman claiming the old woman had arrived in Kenya the previous day and wanted to see various denominations of Kenyan currency.
The shop attendant became impatient and left to serve another customer, only to return and find the gang walking away with stolen cash. In another incident, the gang allegedly assaulted a man who confronted them and demanded to know why they were stealing from people.
Police are aware of the assault incident and are currently looking for the gang, with no arrests made yet, according to Mr. Mwangi.
