Police in Athi River are investigating an incident where a dagger-wielding gang posed as Good Samaritans and robbed over Ksh400,000 from two passengers who were waiting for a bus to Mombasa.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in a statement issued on Sunday, December 22, 2024, stated that the two passengers, a man and a woman, were waiting for a bus at Mlolongo in Machakos county, on Saturday, December 21.
Due to the scarcity of long-distance public vehicles that is normally witnessed in the country during the festive season, a private vehicle stopped by the two passengers with some three people inside disguised as passengers, and offered to help the two get to Mombasa.
“DCI Athi River is investigating a robbery incident where two passengers, a man and a woman, were robbed over Ksh409,000 and other valuables by a dagger-wielding gang who purported to offer them a lift to Mombasa. The two were waiting for a Mombasa-bound bus at Mlolongo yesterday, when the driver of a private vehicle with seemingly three other passengers pulled over, offering to help given the transport challenges being experienced across the country on this Christmas eve,” the DCI stated.
Police on how passengers fell victims
The anti-graft agency went ahead to narrate that the occupants of the private vehicle, who had posed as Good Samaritans, turned out to be robbers soon after the two passengers that were stranded at Mlolongo boarded the vehicle.
The victims are said to have been held hostage, blindfolded and restrained using ropes, before they were frisked for valuables.
A total of Ksh340,000, the DCI says, was withdrawn from the bank accounts of the male victim using the M-banking apps, and another Ksh20,000 from his Mpesa. He is also said to have lost him Samsung Galaxy phone and a powerbank, all valued at Ksh75,000, during the incident.
The female victim was also robbed a number of valuables and had Ksh49,000 withdrawn from her Mpesa account.
“But after boarding, the vehicle occupants turned to be robbers, who on reaching Simba Cement area of Athiriver brandished daggers and held them hostage. The victims were blindfolded and restrained using ropes, before they were frisked for valuables.
“From the male victim who hails from Kiambu town, a total of Sh 340,000 was withdrawn from his bank accounts using the M-banking apps, and another Sh20,000 from his Mpesa. His Samsung Galaxy phone and powerbank valued at Sh75,000 were also stolen. The female victim who resides in Mombasa was also robbed a number of valuables and Sh49,000 from her Mpesa account,” the DCI narrated.
Police investigation
The DCI says the two were dumped at Ngarariga area of Limuru, where members of the public assisted them to Ngarariga Police Station where the incident was reported.
No serious injuries were inflicted on the victims, with the case being referred to DCI Athi River for investigation.
