Nakuru County has been gripped by a surge in armed robberies over the past month, with businessmen and M-Pesa agents emerging as primary targets. The city, once celebrated for its security and economic vitality, is now battling a wave of violent crime, leaving residents and businesses in fear and prompting urgent calls for action from local authorities.
In the last four weeks, Nakuru has experienced a wave of high-profile robberies, many involving AK-47 rifles, resulting in tragic outcomes. Locals are now calling for the return of County Commander Peter Mwanzo whom they credit for sufficiently addressing robberies and murders in 2022.
The latest incident occurred on Saturday night, when an M-Pesa agent was fatally shot during a robbery at Upperhill Estate in Soilo, Nakuru Town West. The assailants, believed to be part of an organized gang, fled with an undisclosed amount of cash, further escalating fears among financial service providers and local traders.
On May 21, Jackson Mwangi, a prominent businessman, was gunned down during a robbery at his shop near Joyland Church in Pipeline. The attackers, suspected to belong to a sophisticated gang, escaped with goods worth over KSh 200,000, leaving Mwangi’s wife critically injured.
On May 23, businessman Paul Ndung’u was fatally attacked in Ndege Ndimu, Bahati Sub-County in an incident mirroring that of Jackson Mwangi. Authorities are investigating potential links between the two cases, raising concerns about targeted violence in the region.
On May 29, Caroline Kwamboka, a shop attendant in Ngata Estate, was brutally attacked by three armed robbers wielding pangas and an AK-47. The assailants stole KSh 40,000 and airtime recharge cards, leaving Kwamboka with severe injuries to her head, neck, and leg. In the same incident, Evans Kipkoech, a casual laborer who attempted to intervene, was fatally shot.
In a separate incident, Hannah Waithera, an M-Pesa agent, vanished after being sent to deposit KSh 250,000. Her body was later found dumped at Technology Farm, underscoring the heightened risks faced by financial service providers.
County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara stated that a notorious gang operating in Pipeline, Ndege Ndimu, Ngata, and Barnabas is behind recent attacks. The gang uses motorcycles to swiftly evade capture, posing significant challenges for law enforcement in apprehending the criminals.
“The gang employs sacks to transport guns and machetes,” Kibaara revealed adding that ballistic analysis of recovered 7.62 mm cartridges is ongoing to probe potential police involvement, as authorities intensify efforts to dismantle the criminal network and ensure public safety.
The crime wave has sparked fears of a resurgence of notorious gangs like Confirm, Mauki, and Gaza, which terrorized Nakuru before a 2022 security crackdown. Residents in low-income areas such as Bondeni, Kaptembwa, and Rhonda report that these groups, largely composed of unemployed youth and school dropouts, operate with impunity due to limited police presence.
Allegations of police inefficiency and corruption have fueled public discontent. Joyce Kimani, a London Estate resident, reported being robbed three times in the past month with no arrests, citing delayed police responses. In Ngata, residents expressed frustration over paying for patrols that rarely materialize, leaving them vulnerable to nighttime raids.
On Friday, Governor Susan Kihika convened an emergency security meeting with Kibaara and security teams to address the crisis. During the meeting, they reviewed the disturbing incidents, including a robbery where one resident was killed and another seriously injured in her place of work.
“These attacks have shaken our communities, and we will not stand by as people live in fear,” she said. “We are working closely with security agencies to ensure such heinous crimes are not repeated. Investigations are ongoing, and leads are being pursued to identify those responsible.”
Police have made some progress, arresting Jackson Anyangu Ochito on Monday in connection with the Pipeline robberies. A motorcycle, a hammer, and three mobile phones linked to the crimes were recovered.
Anyangu was arraigned on Wednesday where Senior Resident Magistrate Emmanuel Soita granted the DCI 14 days to complete their investigations. In the meantime, the suspect will remain in custody at the Central Police Station. The case is set to be mentioned again on June 9 for further directions
M-Pesa agents and small traders are disproportionately affected by ongoing attacks. Residents demand increased police patrols, better street lighting, and improved road infrastructure to deter crime besides the return of crime buster, Mwanzo.
Peter Mwanzo was transferred from his position as Nakuru County Police Commander to Vigilance House in Nairobi in February 2023, primarily due to his role in overseeing the implementation of a lawful court order that led to the eviction of 105 families in Kiriko, Subukia sub-county.
The then Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, announced that disciplinary action would be taken against Mwanzo for supervising these evictions without proper consultation with the county security committee and intelligence, which was seen as a failure to protect the livelihoods of Kenyans.
Gachagua emphasized that police officers should align with the government’s directive to serve and protect citizens, and Mwanzo’s actions were deemed to have violated this principle. A day after Gachagua’s statement, Mwanzo was recalled to Nairobi awaiting new responsibilities.