Lobby demands round-the-clock security as muggings rise in Nairobi CBD

Concerns over growing insecurity in Nairobi’s central business district have intensified, with a political lobby calling for a visible, round-the-clock security response as cases of muggings continue to spread to major streets and bus stops.

Speaking in Nairobi, Young Aspirants Movement (YAM) said the wave of daylight robberies and violent attacks points to gaps in policing that must be urgently addressed. The movement cited recent incidents, including a daylight robbery on Moi Avenue and several muggings near the Globe Roundabout, as evidence of deteriorating safety.

“Security is a constitutional mandate, yet many Kenyans no longer feel protected in their daily activities. Taxes meant to guarantee safety should translate into visible improvements,” YAM chairman Peter Osteen Ngui told journalists on Sunday.

Police statistics show a 22 per cent increase in street crimes this quarter compared to the same period in 2023. Nairobi County Police Commander George Sedah, however, insisted that patrols had intensified.

“We’ve arrested 214 suspects in CBD operations this month alone, including 80 muggers who used disturbing tactics such as threatening to smear victims with human waste. Our crime-mapping strategy is working, though more needs to be done,” Sedah said.

YAM also raised economic concerns, citing soaring food prices and medicine shortages in public hospitals. Official data shows inflation stood at 6.8 per cent in May, with the price of a 2kg packet of maize flour reaching Sh220.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi defended government allocations, noting the health budget rose to Sh138.1 billion in 2024/2025, up from Sh123 billion the previous year. He said Kenya plans to raise $1 billion through a debt-for-food security swap by March 2026.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed that a major crackdown on muggings in Nairobi is underway, with security agencies instructed to intensify operations against criminal gangs targeting unsuspecting citizens. Speaking during a Jukwaa la Usalama forum in Bungoma, the CS revealed that groups posing as street children are often organised, some armed with knives and have staged coordinated attacks.

“I want to confirm to you that operations are ongoing and they will continue,” Murkomen said.

He, however, stressed that policing issues such as theft and muggings are a daily responsibility of the OCS and officers within their areas.

“They should not wait for directives from Nairobi,” he said.

Murkomen had earlier addressed OCSs who had converged at the National Police Service Academy in Ngong, issuing firm instructions to deal decisively with perpetrators. He warned that underage status would not be used as an excuse for crime, insisting that offenders would face the law regardless of age.

He added that the ministry is ready to redeploy officers where necessary to strengthen operational command.

“We have noticed that part of the problem is being caused by individuals who pose as street children, yet they are of significant adult age. They pretend to be homeless, but their main agenda is to rob and attack people. This must stop,” Murkomen said.

The CS assured the public that the government is committed to restoring security and will deal firmly with any weaknesses in policing. He added that similar discussions are being held in different counties to ensure safety is prioritised at the grassroots level.

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His statement comes amid growing concerns over rising thefts in Nairobi’s CBD, with residents and social media users sharing disturbing accounts of being mugged, drugged and robbed. Videos circulating online show victims warning Kenyans to remain vigilant, particularly in the evenings.

Many say gangs are targeting phones, handbags and other valuables, often using intimidation and violence.