Daylight salon robbery in Kayole leaves residents in fear
By Faith Lagat, July 28, 2026A daylight armed robbery at a salon in Saika Estate, Kayole, has heightened security concerns after gunmen stormed a women’s meeting, stole cash and mobile phones, and escaped within minutes.
The robbery happened at about 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 26, 2026, as members of the Queen’s Women Chama had gathered inside the salon for their regular weekend meeting.
Surveillance footage shows two men walking into the salon before one of them pulled out a pistol and ordered everyone to surrender their valuables. His accomplice remained at the entrance as the robbery unfolded.
The gunman escaped on a motorcycle parked outside moments after collecting cash and phones. No one was physically injured during the incident.
Chama members lose savings
One of the victims, Philis Kimani, said those inside initially believed the man entering the salon was a customer.
“Tukadhani ni customer anaingia kuwidhraw ju pia niko na Mpesa but alikuja direct tukashangaa most of the clients huws hawaingii hivo, then akatoa gun he cock the gun, akasema kila mtu anyamaze na aekelee simu juu,” the victim Philis Kimani recalled.
She said the robbers made away with Ksh50,000 that members had contributed during the meeting, in addition to a Samsung mobile phone.
“Alichukua simu ilikua hapo juu na 50 thousand yenye tulikua tumecontribute, wawili walikua wamepack boda nje na huyo mmoja akaingia ndani, tunaomba serikali watusaidie kwa sababu ni pesa ya chama.”
Residents say the incident has left many business owners and customers worried about their safety, particularly following a series of similar daytime robberies targeting people in salons and shopping centres.
Similar attacks raise security concerns
The Kayole robbery comes days after another armed attack outside a salon in Ruaka, Kiambu County.
CCTV footage from the incident shows an armed man confronting two women and demanding a mobile phone. When one of the women attempted to conceal the device, the suspect grabbed her, assaulted her and struck her with the firearm before firing a gunshot.
He then followed one of the women into the salon, dragged her outside and fled with the phone on a waiting motorcycle.
Witness Bridgit Amase said the attacker appeared to be interested in a specific mobile phone.
“Sijui ni gani alitoa kwa waist ama alitoa kwa wapi akashoot… Hakuna kitu ingine aliba,” she stated.
In another incident about seven kilometres away, a family lost more than Ksh1.9 million after thieves broke into their vehicle at Runda Shopping Centre.
Investigators believe the three suspects trailed the family from a bank in Nairobi’s Industrial Area before carrying out the theft. CCTV footage captured the vehicle break-in, while investigators are also pursuing a woman suspected of monitoring the family’s movements and relaying information to the gang.
Detectives pursue suspects
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations are investigating the Kayole robbery and say they are following leads that could help identify the two gunmen captured on surveillance cameras.
Police have appealed to members of the public with information on the suspects or their whereabouts to report to the nearest police station or contact investigators.
The latest incidents have renewed concerns over armed robberies targeting businesses and members of the public in Nairobi and neighbouring Kiambu County as detectives intensify efforts to track down those behind the attacks.