Brazen daylight robberies shock Kenyans, expose country's horrific state of insecurity

A video captured around the Milimani area in Kisumu, right outside an Administration Police post, shows an audacious attack as two men on a motorbike ride past a pedestrian who they quickly clobber hard on the head, sending him to the ground before circling back and robbing him in broad daylight, leaving him reeling and squirming in sheer pain and shock.

In the shocking incident, police officers can be seen and heard shouting and readying themselves to react. As the robbers ride off, an officer rushes back, gets his gun and aims at the thugs, who manage to flee.

All this time, dogs from the opposite gate are seen and heard barking repeatedly, adding a chilling layer of palpable terror to an already overly dramatic attack.

The 25-second video, which has been viewed over 280,000 times on X, caused a massive uproar online as Kenyans blasted the Ministry of Interior for the apparent laxity in security enforcement and the horrific emboldening of robbers, who appear to be operating with a shockingly fearless knack.

"The horrific sound of that metallic pipe connecting with this man's head! This man probably suffered a concussion, or worse, some internal brain injury. This is just unthinkable. This goonery has been normalized and has become our reality. Khai!" someone posted on X.

Someone else said, "This happened in Milimani, Kisumu - one of the richest & arguably safest areas - and outside what seems like an Administration Police camp. Thugs have become so brazen. I mean, they whacked him on the head with a blunt object. I’m imagining how many times they are doing this in a day. How much health damage is being left in the wake of this!"

Not too long after the first video went viral on X, yet another video emerged of thugs getting apprehended at the very same spot - right outside the Administration Police Post - where a thug on a motorbike fleeing from a possible crime scene was swiftly cornered and arrested, as a crowd gathered quickly.

The chaotic scene shows the motorbike at high speed, apparently chased by a black car, before they all stop right outside the AP post.

An officer with his gun held high is seen storming into the middle of the road, where the chase quickly comes to a halt.

As the Kisumu videos continue dominating conversations on X, other separate robberies were captured on CCTV cameras happening in Nairobi.

In one of the instances, CCTV footage shows thugs gaining access to Mr Bingo Computers at Twiga Towers, in what investigators believe was a well-planned operation.

According to the footage, the break-in occurred at about 1am on Saturday, with the suspects forcing their way into the shop and ransacking it within minutes.

The gang is seen carrying sacks as they unpack computers from their boxes and load them for transport before ferrying the items to a waiting vehicle parked outside the building.

Among the items stolen were computers, mobile phones and other high-value accessories. The shop owner, Moses Mwangi, popularly known as Mr Bingo, said the burglars stole more than 500 computers and over 100 iPhones, all valued at over Ksh.16 million.

Earlier footage captured at about 9.59pm shows a man believed to be the ringleader engaging security guards in conversation. However, about an hour later, one of the guards appeared incapacitated, with the suspect seen dragging him away. Police suspect the guards may have been drugged.

Yet another CCTV video captures a man robbing a restaurant and bar in Nairobi's Lavington area. In the black and white video, the man is clearly captured as he uses a mobile phone torchlight to scan around, find items and expertly steal several high-end bottles of whisky, rum and gin.

Separate other incidents involve prominent personalities who have also borne the brutal brunt of the country's increasingly slippery security systems.

In one incident, popular Iko Nini podcaster Mwafreeka has offered a Ksh.100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of three suspects who robbed his studio and made off with two cameras worth Ksh.1.12 million. 

The incident was captured on CCTV, and the crew has urged Kenyans to help identify the culprits.

In the clip seen by Citizen Digital, three men walk in through the front door and begin scanning the room for valuables.

None of them wore masks.

Two had caps on, while the third wore a hoodie.

After briefly checking another room, one suspect starts rummaging through cabinets as another, carrying a bag, begins unmounting a camera from its stand before the footage cuts off.

Another CCTV video shows a dramatic scene as city lawyer Harrison Kinyanjui is seen being apparently circled and robbed by a gang of goons right outside the County Assembly, as President William Ruto was addressing members of the Assembly inside.

These never-ending incidents, most of which are happening in broad daylight, and sometimes in proximity to the country's security top brass, have continued to astonish Kenyans, with others even calling upon the government to declare a state of emergency, at least on national insecurity alone.

Albert Gathoni wrote: "Broken Windows Theory. When sponsored goons became normalised, that was the beginning of the descent into chaos and insecurity. Now crimes happen unchecked and every other week there's death and violence reports. The primitive political CRASS reared this snake by hiring them and giving them police protection. Now the gangs think they're untouchable and can rob Kenyans at 6:30am!"

The deteriorating situation has also seen residents storm area police stations to protest rising insecurity in their regions, as was the case on March 14, 2026, at Nyatike Police and the Nyatike Deputy County Commissioner’s office, where several police cars were vandalised, offices burnt, and several officers injured when the residents demonstrated about the deteriorating security in the area.

Despite numerous promises and warnings by the president and the Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, who have been taking turns to comment on the sad state of affairs and offer some glimmer of hope as Kenyans continue losing property, blood and livelihoods to marauding gangs, the situation doesn't appear to be getting better anytime soon - in fact, things are boiling over even more dangerously.

Taking to his official X account on Sunday, April 12, 2026, after attending an interdenominational church service and fundraiser in Sirwa, Nandi Hills, Murkomen claimed that Kenya had made significant progress in tackling major security threats, including terrorism, banditry, organised crime, and drug trafficking.

"We have made significant gains in securing our country by curbing terrorism, banditry, organised crime, and drug trafficking,” Murkomen said.

"But this progress is threatened by a troubling rise in political violence and goonism instigated by leaders across the political divide,” he added.

Unfortunately, all the CS appears to be doing is releasing statements, making observations, praising his past successes and 'calling upon' leaders, or whoever he believes is terrorising the nation.

And then no action is taken, as usual. 

Still, the attacks continue, the gangs flourish, the brutality increases, the violence persists, and the bloodshed rules without fear and discrimination.

X user Dorcas Omondi said: "The brazenness is what stings the most. It is the boda-boda that swerves too close on a busy street, the glint of a knife at a bus stop at 2:00 PM, and the cold realization that your life is worth less than a smartphone to a gangster with nothing to lose. When citizens are robbed, stabbed, or shot in broad daylight, it isn’t just a failure of policing, it is a collapse of the social contract."