Once upon a time, Nairobi was safer than many towns

Many Kenyans today cannot believe that not long ago you could walk the streets of cities like Nairobi and Mombasa unmolested at any time of day or night.

The most you had to fear was that you would be accosted in a dark alley by a scantily dressed sex worker. Until 25 years or so ago, Nairobi streets were virtually free of muggers while Mombasa was actually a nocturnal town.