- In the outskirts of many towns in Kenya, especially Nairobi where theft cases occur from time to time, it is essential to keenly take precautions.
- Linet, a Nairobi resident shares that she was once a theft victim after her phone was forcibly seized by thugs.
Personal safety is a measure every individual should observe in their daily undertakings.
It’s crucial so that people can protect themselves from harm or possible dangers.
In the outskirts of many towns in Kenya, especially Nairobi where theft cases occur from time to time, it is essential to keenly take precautions.
Linet, a Nairobi resident shares that she was once a theft victim after her phone was forcibly seized by thugs.
“As I was strolling through the city running my errands, I received a call, which at first I ignored but upon persisting, I picked it up. It was not until I placed my phone against my ear that it was snatched, and the thug quickly disappeared out of the blues before I processed what had just happened,” Linet recounts.
Val, another victim who was fortunately lucky, says she almost lost her phone and money despite the fact that they were safely placed inside of her pockets.
“ My phone and Sh1,000 bob were inside my jacket’s pocket. I did not notice the crook unzipped it. It was a rather smooth course for him but he was not as lucky. Immediately after I felt something was a miss and looked behind me, I caught the man red-handed holding my phone. Without thinking, I snatched it from him and escaped."
Thugs aim for personal belongings like phones, wallets, bags and purses in most of the robbery cases.
Their main targets are phones since they are smaller, portable and can easily be grabbed by distracted individuals.
How can one then prioritize our personal safety to avoid such occurrences?
Stay alert
Being aware of your surrounding is one way of staying alert.
This helps you to be distracted.
For instance, you may get easily distracted by several factors like streets adverts or even street vendors.
Trust your gut
Whenever you feel something is a miss, it is best to quickly remove yourself from that situation.
For instance, having a feeling that someone is following you or someone is tampering with your backpack.
Avoid crowded places
Crowded places are the main hunting points for crooks as here, one may fail to notice what is happening.
In this case, you can easily be pick-pocketed and noticed later on.
Keep valuables out of sight
Your valuables such as phones and wallets are items that you should avoid displaying publicly.
These are items that should be concealed and if they are a must use, one should be extra cautious where they should be used.
Secure your belongings
Your belongings should be placed close to your body.
For example, people position their backpacks on the chest rather than in the back, which seems much safer.
Moreover, your bags should be securely fastened.
With these tips, a lot of people might be saved from having theft encounters in their daily lives.