Police Arrest Atleast 300 Suspects in Crackdown on CBD Mugging

Police in Nairobi have arrested at least 300 suspects in a sweeping crackdown targeting muggings in the Central Business District (CBD).

The operation follows growing public outrage over incidents of theft and attacks, with many residents turning to social media in recent weeks to highlight deteriorating security in the city centre.

Nairobi Central Police Commander Philemon Nyakombo confirmed the arrests, saying officers launched the crackdown after verifying some of the reports circulating online.

He noted that while social media posts amplified the insecurity claims, some cases turned out to be genuine and required swift intervention.

“Almost 300 of them have been processed. A few cases have been taken to court where suspects were found with concealed weapons, and the process is ongoing through the criminal justice system,” Nyakombo said.

 He added that police recovered stolen phones during the operation and urged victims to come forward, record statements, and support prosecutions.

The crackdown comes after a surge of public complaints, including claims of gangs targeting commuters, shoppers, and office workers during the day.

Videos and posts shared online sparked fear among Nairobians, prompting both police and county authorities to respond with heightened patrols and targeted operations.

Regional Commissioner Gilbert Kitiyo assured the public that the situation was under control and warned against exaggerating insecurity for online attention.

 “Please let us not exaggerate issues because you want to create something that went viral and earn some money. Let us report the reality as it is. The security situation is not as bad as some would like to depict,” Kitiyo said.

Kitiyo further cautioned against vandalism and other unlawful activities, including siphoning electricity from infrastructure, urging residents to cooperate with law enforcement instead of engaging in crime.

Police have pledged to maintain the crackdown to restore confidence in the CBD, which remains the city’s commercial hub.

 Authorities say public vigilance, combined with formal reporting of incidents, will be key to sustaining safety and ensuring suspects are prosecuted through the justice system.