A 72-year-old woman is counting her luck after surviving a chilling daylight robbery in Karatina, Nyeri County, where she was kidnapped and robbed of Sh1.1 million moments after withdrawing the cash from a bank.
According to police reports, the elderly woman left the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) branch in Karatina on December 19 after withdrawing the money, which she said was meant for domestic use. Unaware she was being trailed, she boarded a matatu home and alighted at the Gaitu area at around 11am.
As she walked along a quiet murram road towards her home, a black car suddenly stopped beside her. Four men jumped out, forced her into the vehicle, and sped off towards the Othaya direction. The attackers allegedly threatened to kill her if she screamed or raised an alarm.
During the ordeal, the gang stole the entire Sh1.1 million in cash and her mobile phone before dumping her in Iridieni area within Mukurueini. Though deeply traumatized, the woman was not physically harmed.
Police officers later visited the scene and the bank to verify the transaction as investigations commenced. Detectives now strongly suspect the attackers had prior knowledge of the withdrawal, raising concerns of a possible insider tip-off either from within the bank or from someone close to the victim.
The incident adds to a growing list of targeted robberies involving unsuspecting customers shortly after leaving banking halls, a trend that has alarmed both security agencies and the public.
In a related development, police in Ongata Rongai have arrested a suspect believed to be behind a string of robberies in the area. The suspect, identified as Hashim Karim Anyanja, was tracked to Eastleigh in Nairobi and arrested on Saturday following a sustained probe.
Police say he was found in possession of illegally registered SIM cards, which investigators believe were being used to facilitate fraud and coordinate criminal activities. Officers have termed the arrest a major breakthrough in efforts to dismantle organized crime networks operating in Ongata Rongai.
Meanwhile, in Chuka, Tharaka Nithi County, police are investigating the recovery of a G3 rifle at a private residence in Gitareni area. The firearm, which had 20 bullets, was discovered on Friday at a dumping site alongside a damaged mobile phone.
The weapon and the phone were handed over to police, who are now working to establish their origin and whether they are linked to any criminal activity in the region.
As investigations continue across the three counties, police have urged members of the public to remain vigilant, avoid predictable banking routines, and immediately report any suspicious activity to security agencies.
Leave a Reply