Stone-wielding robber arrested on Southern Bypass after spate of attacks on motorists

Police have arrested a stone-wielding robbery suspect on Nairobi’s Southern Bypass following a series of targeted robberies on the road.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) said the arrest was made on Thursday after a heightened patrol led by the regional criminal investigations officer, with support from officers from DCI Lang’ata and DCI Dagoretti.

According to DCI, the suspect had been using a large stone to block traffic and create an opportunity for theft.

Officers on patrol responded swiftly after hearing a loud crash. Upon reaching the scene, they found a Volkswagen car that had hit the stone while driving towards Ngong Road.

A family that was travelling in the vehicle described their terrifying experience, explaining that after the crash, the suspect emerged from nearby bushes and immediately robbed them of their belongings.

“Officers quickly pursued the suspect into the thicket and arrested him,” DCI said.

DCI said the suspect is currently in police custody and is expected to be arraigned on Monday, January 6, 2025.

The arrest comes after a violent attack on three siblings along the same stretch of road.

The three were seriously injured on Saturday night when a panga-wielding robber ambushed them as they were driving from their rural home.

The incident unfolded after a gang set up stones on the road, causing the family’s car tyres to burst. As the victims stepped out to address the puncture, they were attacked by the robber.

The family was travelling from Bomet to Nairobi and upon reaching the area, the driver lost control after the vehicle in front swerved him, causing their car to hit a stone and deflate two tyres. As they attempted to address the situation, a lone man wielding a panga confronted them and robbed them of several valuables.

“I pleaded with the robber to pick whatever he wanted since our car boot was open. He opened the car and picked up my bag and a few items before he disappeared,” the woman who was driving the car said.

However, the robber returned moments later, demanding their mobile phones and other valuables. The family was robbed of two mobile phones, Sh2,000, two laptops, a PlayStation, ATM cards, and other items.

The woman managed to cross the road and alert other motorists, who rushed to their aid. The robber reappeared, but by then, other drivers had arrived, helping to transport the injured siblings to the hospital.

“My two brothers passed out and lay on the ground. I was also bleeding from the cut on the face and later learned at the hospital that I had sustained a fracture,” she said.

Lang’ata Sub-County Police Commander Monica Kimani confirmed that three suspects were arrested in a nearby forest.

Kimani also noted that the area was deserted due to ongoing road repairs on a section of the Southern Bypass, which had been closed for maintenance until January 5. This, along with the notorious reputation of the road for such robberies, may have contributed to the incident.

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) announced the temporary closure of the section from the Ole Sereni interchange to the Ngong Road interchange for repairs.