Six men have been detained for seven days by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in connection with a series of robbery incidents involving commuters in the Ngara area of Nairobi.
The suspects, including Boniface Wachira Wahome, the owner of the matatu involved, were ordered to remain at Capital Hill police station as investigations continue.
Milimani Magistrate Geoffery Onsarigo approved the DCI’s request for detention, emphasizing the need for further inquiry into the alleged crimes.
The suspects Wahome, Jackson Kimani Thuo, Titus Mburu Njonjo, Dennis Omondi Otieno, George Vincent Otieno, and John Waweru—are accused of luring unsuspecting passengers into their vehicle, robbing them, and then abandoning them along their route.
According to court documents, one victim, Nelly Ann Itera, reported that on September 3, 2024, she boarded the matatu on her way to the Nairobi Central Business District.
After sitting in the front seat, she was urged by the conductor to close the door while a nearby passenger offered to hold her bag. In the ensuing chaos, Itera realized her phone had gone missing.
When she confronted the conductor, he claimed her phone had fallen off along the road and refused to return her to collect it.
The situation escalated, leading to violence from the driver and conductor, prompting Itera to scream for help. Police officers patrolling the Ngara area were alerted to the commotion.
As the driver attempted to flee, he lost control of the vehicle, resulting in a collision with another car. The matatu overturned, trapping Itera inside while the driver and other passengers escaped.
Fortunately, pedestrians rescued her and recovered her phone, but the Sh400 stolen from her bag was not found.
Cpl. Paul Wainaina of the DCI’s Operation Support Unit testified that preliminary investigations have shown a rise in similar robbery cases across the city, with criminals targeting passengers during busy hours.
He noted that the suspects would rob victims as they entered the matatu and, if confronted, would violently eject them from the moving vehicle.
The court heard that Njenga, one of the suspects, was found with five mobile phones believed to be stolen from victims.
Despite Wahome’s claims that he was merely the owner of the vehicle and not involved in its operations, the court ordered all six suspects to remain in custody for further investigation.
