By DANN OKOTH
Is Lang’ata turning into a motorist’s worst nightmare? Area residents are worried over the rise in crime rate and cite Lang’ata Road and its surroundings as the most affected areas.
The area has now become a crime hotspot, where life and property can be easily lost at the whims of marauding criminal gangs.
The country is still reeling from the shocking murder last week of a manager with an international NGO, in his house in Jamhuri Estate in Lang’ata, as his family watched.
And two weeks ago, the runaway insecurity in the country struck at the heart of the newsroom when an IT manager with the Standard Group was carjacked and a senior editor with the group attacked in his home in Lang’ata.
But truth be said, the criminals are not the only guilty party. In the dock with them is our whole system of security that should ensure the protection of life and property — but it seems to have failed.
 |
| Flying Squad unit swing into action to foil an attempted robbery in Nairobi’s CBD [PHOTO: FILE/STANDARD] |
The two Standard Group employees recounted their chilling experiences at the hands of the thugs, even as they recovered from the shock and trauma caused by the experience. “I stay in Lang’ata, Nairobi, near Sailing Club. Violent crime in the area has been very rare and most robberies involve muggings and burglaries,” says the senior editor who cannot be named because he fears for his life.
Eight young men
“On Wednesday, May 2, I had to rush home during lunch hour to take drugs to my eight-week old son. I had also withdrawn some cash to pay school fees for my daughter. When I arrived home, I parked the car outside my gate and went in. My wife was with a friend in the sitting room who had come to see her and our baby.
We chatted briefly and then I went to put the drugs in the refrigerator as my wife escorted her friend who was leaving. It was by then 2pm. I was coming out of the kitchen when eight young men armed with pistols burst into the house and ordered me to lie face down on the floor while pressing a gun to my head.
Several of them went upstairs to the bedrooms while others fanned out into the kitchen and ground floor bedroom. They pulled the maid from the kitchen and ordered her to lie down. “You know what this is?” said one of the thugs as he pressed a gun to my head while others frisked me.
One of them kicked me in the ribs. They emptied my wallet and took my ATM cards, watch and wedding band. How much cash do you have? We have been sent and we know all about you. Tukopamoja na tumetumwa kukumaliza (We are together and have been sent to finish you).
