•In an advisory issued on Friday, the Embassy has warned its citizens residing in Nairobi to take caution even as they go about their business
•The Embassy however noted the Kenya government is taking measures to deploy more police in high crime areas
Image: FILE
The US Embassy has warned its citizens of increased crime rates in Nairobi estates.
In an advisory issued on Friday, the Embassy has warned its citizens residing in Nairobi to take caution even as they go about their business.
"There are reports of increased criminal activity in residential areas of Nairobi," the Embassy said.
"Incidents include crimes of opportunity such as purse and phone snatching," the advisory reads.
The Embassy, however, noted the Kenya government is taking measures to deploy more police in high-crime areas.
As a result, the Embassy has advised its citizens to avoid displaying any signs of wealth when they are moving around.
This entails avoiding walking around wearing expensive jewellery, watches, or flashing large sums of money.
In addition, the Embassy has advised that they keep their valuables such as mobile phones concealed away from the public eye as they may be prone to snatching.
They have further been advised to keep a low profile or be vigilant and aware of their surroundings.
The Embassy has further advised the citizens to
"Do not physically resist any robbery attempt and remain calm. Confrontation with these individuals often leads to violence," the Embassy has warned.
The US Citizens have also been advised to keep their doors locked and windows up whenever they are caught up in traffic within the city.
This comes days after at least two people were killed in separate crime incidents in Nairobi.
In the first incident reported to police on Tuesday last week, the body of one Tobias Oyo, 45 was found on the roadside with visible stab wounds on the head and both sides of his chest in Huruma, Nairobi.
Security officers in the city are also conducting operations to address cases where motorcycle riders are reportedly involved in crimes.
The riders have been linked to cases of mobile phone snatching and murder.
In an ongoing crackdown on suspicious phone repair stalls, detectives across the Nairobi Region last week seized more than 300 suspected stolen mobile phones, laptops, and tablets.
This effort is aimed at combating the electronic theft surge in the city.
Police have stated that the stealing of these gadgets is linked to motorcycle operators who are behind the trend.
Nairobi police boss Adamson Bungei announced that they will also target motorcycle operators as part of efforts to address this trend.
He mentioned that dozens of operators have already been arrested in the operation and warned that the exercise will continue.
Bungei said there has seen a surge in the incidents where riders with pillions who are also accomplices snatch mobile phones and take them to electronic engineers for changes before they are sold.