Three men accused of extorting PSV operators in Eastleigh face robbery with violence charges

Three men suspected to be members of a criminal gang allegedly extorting money from PSV operators in Eastleigh, Nairobi, are now facing charges of robbery with violence. They are accused of robbing a PSV driver, Jackson Maina Mwangi, and matatu Sacco officials who refused to pay for their services in the area.

The accused individuals, Hassan Hussein, Abdirahim Mohammed, and Khalid Abdi, reportedly robbed Mwangi of Sh6,400 along First Avenue in Eastleigh on November 7, armed with clubs and other weapons. They are also facing two additional charges related to robbing Sacco official Benjamin Muriuki of Sh7,200 and Ali Suleiman of Sh3,000, along with a mobile phone worth Sh10,000 during the alleged daylight robbery.

The suspects are also accused of causing actual bodily harm to the complainants during the alleged robberies, committed together with others who are at large. An additional charge has been filed against them for causing a disturbance in a manner likely to breach the peace, allegedly chasing matatu drivers and attendants out of the PSV stages.

According to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the gang had taken control of matatu stages in the area, forcibly collecting money from drivers and Sacco officials to allow them to pick up and drop off passengers.

Matatu tout (conductor) Samuel Waweru commented on the situation, saying, "It has been a nightmare for us. These criminals demand money from us, and if you don't pay, they become violent. We are just trying to earn an honest living, but these gangs make it impossible."

The three victims were reportedly attacked in the area after refusing to give money to the gang members. Mwangi intervened to rescue Muriuki, who was being assaulted and robbed, and was also attacked, beaten, and robbed in the process. The three suspected gangsters later accosted Suleiman, allegedly robbing him as well. The injured victims sought medical treatment before reporting the matter to Eastleigh North Police Station.