Security Guard Fatally Attacked as Thieves Raid Kahawa West Liquor Store, Steal Goods Worth KSh 2.5 million
Residents have been left living in fear due to a lack of street lighting, with some claiming total darkness at night that has made them avoid moving around after dusk.
Kahawa West Residents. Photo/Courtesy
By Ruth Sang
A security guard lost his life in the early hours of Wednesday after armed criminals raided a liquor shop in Kahawa West, Nairobi, and made away with merchandise estimated at nearly KSh 2.5 million. The violent break-in in Kahawa West happened around 4 a.m. and has raised fears among the residents, who claim insecurity in the region has deteriorated for some time now.
According to police reports, the gang forcibly broke into the premises before deactivating the shop’s CCTV cameras to hide their identity and activities. After tampering with the security cameras, the thugs looted the store, leaving it in a mess and leaving the community in shock.
Police officers from Kasarani Police Station have launched investigations into the robbery-cum-murder, with detectives combing the area for clues that might lead to the arrest of those involved in the incident. Authorities say they are investigating possible links with other recent break-ins reported in the larger Kasarani area.
Mr. Nicholas Mwongera, the owner of the shop, said he got wind of the attack some hours later. Alerted by neighbours at about 7 a.m., he first rushed to the scene before reporting the matter to the Kahawa West Police Station. According to him, this experience has been a devastating setback; he is traumatised and frustrated on account of losing a long-serving night guard and valuable stock.
The tragedy has left residents, who still grapple with the horror of the incident, increasingly concerned over what they describe as a surge in criminal activities in the neighbourhood. Many attribute the spike in incidents to a prolonged blackout that has plunged parts of Kahawa West into darkness for close to three weeks. Locals say Kenya Power has removed a faulty transformer for repairs but has not restored power to the area, providing a suitable environment for criminals to strike without being seen.
Residents have been left living in fear due to a lack of street lighting, with some claiming total darkness at night that has made them avoid moving around after dusk. Community members are now urging security agencies and Kenya Power to urgently address the situation before it worsens.
They are demanding increased police patrols, quick restoration of electricity, and overall increased efforts to improve safety in the area. They add that unless something is done right now, businesses and homes will remain an easy target of the vandals. As the probe continues, the community is in bereavement with the loss of the guard, described by many as diligent and well-known in the area. Residents hope the suspects will be apprehended quickly and that stronger security measures will be put in place to prevent further tragedies.
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