Nairobi ni shamba la mawe, and kila mtu anajua kilicho mleta Nairobi are phrases many Kenyans repeat to encourage themselves to push harder, survive longer, and win by any means necessary.

Unfortunately, for some people, that survival instinct has turned into deception.

As schools prepare to reopen in the days to come, con men and women have upgraded their tactics, targeting parents, guardians, and anyone rushing to get ready.

These are no longer people in tattered clothes or suspicious corners. Today’s con artists wear suits, carry car keys, use high-end phones, and speak confidently.

School reopening season is their harvest period, when urgency and pressure make many Kenyans vulnerable.

Below are five common tricks currently in circulation.

1. Faking a sick child

One common trick involves a stranger claiming their child is seriously ill and urgently needs help.

The story is designed to create panic and emotional pressure, often mentioning hospital queues, doctors waiting, or medicine that must be paid for immediately.

Even small amounts like Ksh150 are requested. The urgency makes many people act without verifying the story.

2. Taking parents to deliberately expensive bookshops

Some con artists pose as helpful parents or school insiders and offer to guide others to “cheap” bookshops.

In reality, they take victims to outlets where prices are inflated or where they have arrangements with sellers.

Parents end up overspending, believing they are saving money, but in reality? Amegongwa.

3. Dropping fake cash bundles to tempt sharing

Another classic but still effective trick involves dropping a large bundle wrapped neatly to resemble cash.

The top and bottom are covered with fake Ksh1,000 notes, while the inside is trimmed with newspapers.

The con artist pretends to discover the money with you and suggests sharing it, only to demand a small “processing” or “trust” fee before disappearing.

4. Impersonating school heads or officials

As reopening nears, some scammers send messages claiming to be school heads or administrators.

They inform parents of an urgent change in the school fees payment method and provide new mobile numbers or accounts.

The message often sounds official and rushed, pushing parents to act quickly. To avoid this, all guardians, parents should first call the school management to confirm before even making any payment.

5. Using confidence and appearance to disarm suspicion

Perhaps the most dangerous trick is appearance. These con men and women look legitimate. They speak well, dress smartly, and appear successful.

This lowers suspicion and makes their stories believable, especially during a stressful season like school reopening.

As Kenyans prepare for schools to reopen, vigilance is critical.

Urgency should never replace verification in a city where kila mtu anatafuta njia ya kuomoka, caution remains the best protection against becoming the next victim.

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