Abortive robbery unites strangers on Nairobi street
By Henry Gekonde, February 20, 2025Nairobi draws visitors from around the world with its unique blend of urban energy, cultural heritage and proximity to spectacular wildlife. But like any major metropolitan area, visitors must balance their desire for exploration with practical safety considerations.
Having worked in the city for over a decade, I’ve developed a better understanding of urban safety here, but I can never truly feel at home. While most visitors worry about becoming targets of street crime – and take appropriate precautions like staying alert, avoiding solo nighttime walks, and keeping valuables concealed – the reality of crime in Nairobi can be more surprising than many of us expect.
The city’s reputation often precedes it, leading some tourists to over-restrict their movements while others become too casual about their safety.
This reality was illustrated last Thursday evening on Kijabe Street. The incident occurred in what I thought was one of the safest areas of the city – a well-lit street near the University of Nairobi, Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), and two upscale apartment blocks. Central Police Station sits just hundreds of metres away on Harry Thuku Road, and private security guards are a constant presence at nearby buildings. The area is cleaner than most in the city, with its manicured lawns and nicely paved streets.
At around 8pm, I witnessed two young men on a motorcycle attempt to snatch a phone from a foreign visitor. Despite the presence of other pedestrians enjoying the perfect evening weather, these criminals were audacious enough to strike. The visitor had been walking casually, earphones connected to the phone in his shorts pocket, appearing completely at ease in his surroundings. Though the thieves failed in their attempt and fled empty-handed towards the Globe Roundabout, the incident left the targeted visitor and me shaken.
What followed was almost surreal – the visitor, still recovering from the shock of the attempted theft, accused a passing KBC canteen worker of similar intentions. Turning to the young man in a defensive posture, the visitor yelled, “Do you want to steal my phone too?” I quickly came to the man’s defence.
But it turned out the visitor was just horsing around. While this moment of levity helped diffuse the tension and calm the nerves, it highlighted how quickly one’s sense of security can be shattered in unexpected places. The incident suddenly brought together three strangers in an odd connection, united by a shared experience of Nairobi’s unpredictable street life.
The paradox of this experience is striking. This wasn’t in downtown Nairobi or any slum. This was in an area where military-type security personnel often guard the KBC gate, where private security is abundant, and where taxi drivers comfortably wait for customers day and night. The streets are well-maintained, clean, and supposedly secure. But crime still found its way here, demonstrating how even the city’s perceived safe areas aren’t immune to opportunistic criminals.
Long-time workers in the area tell me that such incidents, including daylight robberies, are not uncommon, though perhaps their accounts are somewhat exaggerated. Still, their warnings align with my experience that night: in Nairobi, street crime can occur anywhere, at any time. The motorcycle snatch attempt is a particularly common tactic, with thieves taking advantage of the city’s often congested streets to make quick getaways.
But this reality shouldn’t deter visitors from experiencing what Nairobi has to offer. Instead, it should be a teachable moment for how to explore the city. Practical safety measures are essential: stay aware of your surroundings, secure your valuables, avoid walking alone at night, and seek local advice about different areas. We also need to remember that thousands of visitors enjoy Nairobi’s attractions safely every day by combining common sense with basic precautions. To the foreign visitor, I apologise on behalf of my country.