CRIME UPDATE

This update is all about raising people’s awareness and helping each other with important information. If you know any incidences that we can pass onto others please e-mail me on Kim@performance.co.ke

CAUTION DO NOT USE THE UNFINISHED LINK ROAD: LANGATA - NGONG ROAD – 4 November, 2007

I would like to pass on an alert to all who might wish to try using the (unbuilt) By-Pass between Langata road coming out just near Lenana School on Ngong road. I have personally used this by-pass as an adventure trying to see how it is and now realise what danger I had put my family in by doing that.

One of our colleagues in the Pharma industry used this bypass on Sunday from church and was Carjacked by seven gun wielding thugs. They proceeded to rob them and raped his house girl and threatened to rape his wife.

The thugs proceeded to use his car to go to the ATM and withdrew money from his Account. This ordeal lasted 5 hours and apart from his family, another two couples were car jacked at the same time and put through the same ordeal. The fourth couple to be Car Jacked were Europeans.

Please let all your friends know so that they can ensure that they do not put themselves in unnecessary danger.

Regards,

Anthony GITAU

Home Invasion 22 September

At 0340 a break in occurred on Ngong Road, next to the Ultimate Security Services office, in a 15 unit complex. At 0300 the resident heard the door handle of the bedroom that is used as a storage room being manipulated. She went to her bedroom window and shouted for the guards of the compound. Then she heard a male voice at her door asking what was going on. Thinking it was a guard, she opened the door only to realize it was the criminals. There were three men, one of whom had a panga. They forced their way into the apartment stating that they heard she had money and that they want it or they would kill her. They roughed her up, giving her a black-eye and a minor face injury. The robbers left with household items, cash, mobile phone and electronic equipment. One of the neighbors tried to assist her, but was also threatened by the criminals. The neighbor was able to call the police and the security firm contracted to the complex. (Source: Regional Security Office, U.S. Embassy)

22 September - Carjacking Lower Kabete

At 2245hrs a duty driver of the US Embassy was carjacked in a Jim Cab in Mwimuto Township off Lower Kabete. Their vehicle was blocked by a metallic blue Toyota station wagon. Two men between 35 and 40 years old emerged with a pistol each, threatened the FSN and the taxi driver, and ordered them to move into the back seat. The vehicle drove towards Gitaru Township and was driven onto a side road where the two were robbed off their personal items. They were then locked inside the boot of the car and were left near Kin’geero Township. After waiting for about fifteen minutes, the FSN managed to unlock the boot to escape. The FSN and the taxi driver were roughed up during the event but there were no injuries. (source: Regional Security Officer - US embassy)

19 September - Gangster and Police in City Centre Shoot Out

Nation News reports that Police and gangsters clashed in a dramatic gun battle on Nairobi streets just before noon. Pedestrians and motorists were caught up in the gunfire on Kimathi Street, outside the Nation Centre. The shoot out erupted minutes before noon after the gangsters realized a police car had been trailing their vehicle.

The incident involved 5 men, armed with AK 47 rifles and a pistol. They were wearing bullet-proof vests. Two criminals managed to escape on foot while the others carjacked a motorist and managed to get away in the stolen car. Police believed that two of the suspects were shot. This may have been a foiled bank robbery.

We may see more of this type of incidents as the election date draws near. Please maintain a high level of vigilance especially when withdrawing money from ATM machines.

5 September - Kisumu Robbery

At 1930 hrs on Wednesday, the 5th of September, the Yacht Club, along Kaunda Hill Road within the Dunga area of Kisumu, was robbed by six gunmen armed with pistols.  The gunmen robbed the bar and took all of the valuables, phones and cash from the approximately 30 people present at the club.  One of the patrons present during the robbery was an American CDC employee who works at the Kenyan Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) site in Kisumu.  After robbing the club, all of the patrons and the employees, the criminals left the scene on foot.  No injuries resulted from the incident and police continue to investigate with the assistance of RSO (source: Regional Security Officer, US Embassy)

 23 August - Nairobi - Thika Highway Incident

 A USAID FSN was driving to work on an non-paved road that connects to Nairobi - Thika Highway.  She saw a man to the left of the road who appeared to be in his late 20’s wearing a grey suit. As she approached, the man moved closer to the road and made motions to cross. She slowed down to give way when suddenly, the man drew from his pocket an object the shape and size of a pistol that was wrapped in black polythene paper and pointed it at her while attempting to open the front passenger door (which was locked). As soon as she saw this, she accelerated, dragging the man along for a short distance.  She reported the matter to Ruiru Police Station who promised to intensify patrols in the area.

23 June, Home Invasion, Forest Lane - Karen Area

A Forest Lane resident, was holding a birthday party for their 5 year old son at 2:30 in the afternoon. They have an electric fence and gate, but no day askari or panic buttons. The gate was left open for party guests. A gang of 5 armed men, came into the compound, hit the gardener on the head and proceeded to rob party guests of valuables, such as rings, watches, mobile phones, etc. They slapped the owner of the compound across the face and and threatened several others at gun point, but no one was physically harmed.

One of the owner's sons, managed to escape and warned an approaching guest as they came up the driveway that the robbery was happening. They managed to leave undetected and reported the incident to the authorities. Ultimate Security arrived at the scene and were shot at by the thieves, as they made their escape. The whole ordeal lasted about 40 minutes. One of the gang members was recognized in another break in by one of the party guests.

When I questioned Chris Everard, of Ultimate Security, he said that it was an isolated incident and they have had no previous reports of gangs invading birthday parties. He said that Ultimate Security offer a service to their customers of parking one of their rapid response vehicles at the gate of birthday parties and other such events to counter these sort of incidents. Other security companies may do the same and it is advisable to check with them and use these services when extra security is needed.

RUNDA

The armed gang that I reported in an earlier mail are still at large and still attacking unsuspecting motorist at speed bumps, slow corners and any places where vehicles have to slow down. Remain extra vigilant

WINDY RIDGE INCIDENT – 26 May, 2007

At 0025hrs, Saturday 26th May, 2007 a man was driving home along a road in Karen, called Windy Ridge.

The man saw what looked to be a tree trunk (it turned out to be a disused telegraph pole) across the road and men on either side. He performed an emergency stop and reverse swing backwards and drove at speed to the Karen Police Station. Several shots were fired at him as he followed his escape.

He called his local security firm en route to the Police Station. The vehicle with the reaction team and a policeman sped to the scene and were confronted by a burst of automatic fire, taking 12 rounds of ammunition in their windscreen. The brass collected on the scene was from an AK 47 and the first two rounds were tracer. They were fired at close range from the drivers side and exited through the passenger side window, without injury to personnel. Their aim was either hi-jack or armed robbery of the contents of any vehicle that stopped.

This is an isolated incident in Karen. However given the forthcoming elections it could be an upwards trend.

This man managed to escape unharmed, because he was aware and paying attention. Remember to remain vigilant at all times, especially when driving at night. Always look as far ahead as possible and don’t allow yourself to be sucked into a dangerous situation.

Sulfuric Acid - 23rd May, 2007

Street hawkers have been tossing sulfuric acid inside cars - a woman has been seriously burned & blinded near Toyota Kenya roundabout, a child severely burned and admitted to ICU, and also two other gentlemen carjacked at the roundabout in full view of other motorists. The attackers pose as hawkers to get close to your car, then show you a gun and call over other "hawkers" and they all get in your car or toss acid inside your car. Make sure you keep your windows rolled up at all times.

Runda Area - 23rd May, 2007

There is an armed gang that wait for unsuspecting motorist on roads where the traffic has to slow down, such as areas with speed bumps and sharp corners. Initially, two men jump out in front of your vehicle aiming guns demanding you to stop. Once these two men have your attention, two more men with guns approach your vehicle from both the driver’s side and passenger side. They rob you of personal items such as money, cell phones, etc. This has happened 16 times in the past 5 weeks!

Langata Area

On 11 April, at midday, 3 armed men entered a home on Kongoni Road behind the Langata Link area. Although the gang did not harm anyone, the house was cleared of all valuables and the owners personal vehicle was taken. This is a “one off” incident in this area, but residents and staff should be extra vigilant. People still tend to think that gangs only operate and do home invasions at night, but this is not the case anymore. Home invasions and car-jackings can occur at any time of the day and night and you should never drop your guard.

Golf Courses

The British Government reports that there have been a number of armed attacks on golf courses around Nairobi. Be extra vigilant while playing in remote areas away from the Club House of any golf courses. Be alert at all times.

Two More U.S. Embassy Carjackings—from the Regional Security Office, U.S. Embassy Nairobi

The Consular section reports roughly one American dies in a road-related incident in Kenya each week.

The Overseas Advisory Security Council (OSAC) reports the following: Kenya's crime and transnational terrorism ratings both remain at critical levels. The U.S. State Department updated the Travel Warning for Kenya in February 2007 to note the sharp increase in violent crime. The greatest threats in Kenya are road safety, crime and terrorism. The most common crime in Kenya (especially in Nairobi) is carjacking in order to commit an armed robbery. In virtually every instance, carjackers use weapons to rob their victims. Most victims, if they are completely cooperative, are released unharmed, with their vehicles. However, victims are sometimes tied up and put in the back seat or trunk of their own car. Criminals who commit these crimes will not hesitate to shoot a victim who is the least bit uncooperative, or may appear to hesitate before complying with his/her assailant. This includes victims who may be complying, but who must do something like unfastening a seat belt before getting out of the car. During a carjacking, if you must do anything as a prerequisite to following carjackers' instructions, be sure to tell them what you are doing, and assure them you are complying.

Carjacking 1

At approximately 2030 hours on the evening of Saturday, March 31, one of our American personnel was the victim of a carjacking on Farasi Lane off of Lower Kabete Road in the Spring Valley area of Nairobi. He was driving alone in his POV when an oncoming vehicle blocked his path. Four men, at least one of whom was armed with a pistol, robbed him of cash, cell phones and personal items. The gunmen proceeded to drive him around for about 40 minutes, finally releasing him unharmed, with his vehicle. He then drove his vehicle back to the carjacking location, where he was met by Diplomatic Police and a KK Mobile Response Team (MRT).

The employee stayed calm and maintained a dialog with his captures during the ordeal. While driving him around, the criminals asked him who he worked for, where he lived and, after they saw his credit cards, they wanted to know his PIN numbers. He explained that he worked for the Embassy and did all of his banking there, and that his credit cards did not have PIN numbers. Additionally, he was able to talk the culprits out of going to his home.

Carjacking 2

On Wednesday, April 4th, 2007, at 1930 hours, USAID FSN was carjacked near his home in Buru Buru by a gang of five criminals, two of whom were armed with pistols. The criminals blocked his car with another vehicle and ordered him and his wife to the back seat. The thieves then drove the couple to St. Philips CPK Church where they were robbed of their valuables.

The couple was subsequently released unharmed with their vehicle. They notified the Buru Buru police station of the incident and filed a report. Another individual was also in the police station reporting a carjacking, which appears to have been committed by the same group.

EMERGENCY POLICE NUMBERS—999 (Landline) 112 (mobile) Police Hotline Nairobi: (020) - 240 000