Kenya - latest attacks this week against motorists in Nairobi

RPS is posting a security advice for those travelling to Nairobi. We have just received information from Kenya that seems to prove RPS's concerns that carjacking in Nairobi is set to increase. RPS was working in Nairobi just before Christmas and was astounded at the amount of robberies which took place when people were driving. 

On Monday, a well coordinated attack took place, when an armed gang of ten men wielding pistols attacked and robbed several motorists in Westlands, an area of Nairobi where the shopping mall terrorist attack took place last year.  It was on Waiyaki Way; the exact place we are not sure of at the moment.

At just before 8pm during heavy traffic, the gang used the opportunity to target motorists who had rolled their car windows down. They also opened unlocked vehicle doors and simultaneously robbed the motorists, cash, mobile phones and assorted valuables.

In a well organised retreat they then swiftly disappeared from the crime scene following a loud whistle signalling the end of the "mission". The criminals then crossed the road and melted away.

RPS advises you to do the following when driving in Kenya, especially when in towns:

• Lock your doors prior to setting off
• Have your window up and use your aircon if hot
• Do not leave valuables on the front seat or the rear seat and keep them out of sight 
• Leave yourself enough room in the traffic to get out in an emergency - make sure you can see the rear tyres of the car in front, then you will have enough room to turn the steering wheel hard and drive out. You may well scrap your or their car but at least you will be safe.
• Consider where you put your wallet/purse and have a phone handy, but hidden somewhere you can get to it in the event of an emergency
• Consider having something you can hand over to any would be thieves - money, old phone
• Be suspicious of everything and don't let cars box you in when driving or stopping at traffic lights - the front and rear car may be working together

For any travel advice to Kenya or if you are unsure of driving or travelling in Nairobi, please get in touch with us at [email protected]. If you would like to find out more about travel awareness training and what to do and how to react and behave if you are carjacked, please contact us.

Photo: RPS Nairobi