Armed robber caught on CCTV raiding Ruaka salon, firing gunshot before escape
By Emmanuel Rono, July 12, 2026An armed robber has been captured on CCTV attacking women outside a salon in Ruaka, Kiambu County, before stealing a mobile phone, firing a gunshot and escaping on a waiting motorcycle.
The incident is the latest in a series of armed robberies that have raised security concerns among residents of Nairobi and Kiambu counties.
CCTV footage from the scene shows two women outside the salon before a man armed with a pistol approaches them and demands a mobile phone from one of them.
The woman reportedly attempted to hide the phone, prompting the suspect to grab her, assault her and strike her with the firearm as the victims screamed for help.
Bridgit Amase, who witnessed the incident, said the person of interest suddenly fired a shot, sparking panic at the scene.
“Sijui ni gani alitoa kwa waist ama alitoa kwa wapi akashoot. So kushoot, my friend, Prisca, aka… alianguka. Mimi niliona ni kama alianguka, akakimbilia huko ndani, na mimi nikakimbia kwa barabara nikaanza kuita usaidizi,” Amase said.
The CCTV footage further shows the women attempting to escape before the gunman followed one of them into the salon, dragged her from where she had sought refuge and fled with her mobile phone.
Target specific phones
The person of interest then allegedly fired another shot outside before escaping on a motorcycle that was waiting nearby.
Amase said the gunman appeared to be targeting a specific phone, noting that he did not steal other valuables from the salon despite several people being inside.
“Hakuna kitu ingine aliba kwa sababu ingekuwa, maybe ingekuwa ni mwizi wa kawaida, wakati aliingia hapa ndani wenzangu walikuwa huku ndani alafu walikuwa wengi na clients. Angechukua pengine hadi simu zao because time yenye walikimbilia huko ndani walisema waliacha simu zao huku.,” she said.
Runda attack
In a separate incident about seven kilometres away, a family lost more than Sh1.9 million after suspected robbers broke into their vehicle at Runda Shopping Centre.
The three persons of interest are believed to have followed the victims from a bank in Nairobi’s Industrial Area on Thursday before breaking into their vehicle and stealing the money.
CCTV footage reportedly captured the suspects breaking into the car, while a woman is suspected of having followed the victims and relayed information about their movements to her accomplices.