Nairobi folks, breathe easy for a minute – the boys in blue have finally hit back hard at those phone snatchers who have been making life difficult in the city!
Following loud complaints from mwananchi about the rising cases of mobile phone thefts, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) through their Operation Support Unit (OSU) pulled off a sharp, intelligence-led swoop across different spots in the capital.
In the operation, seven suspects believed to be the big brains behind the snatching and selling of stolen phones on the black market were arrested. And the recoveries? Serious stuff – 150 assorted mobile phones, 16 tablets, and six laptops were taken back from various hideouts in Nairobi.
One of the key catches was a Ugandan national called Nambajwe Zaina, also known as Aisha Nalubanga or Zainab. She was nabbed in Shauri Moyo, where detectives found 75 mobile phones nicely packed in sealed boxes plus two laptops right inside her house.
Investigations show this lady has been the main connector between receivers here in Kenya and buyers across the border in Uganda. She was working hand-in-hand with her crew, including one Kalyowo Sam, who was also arrested in the same area.
The dragnet didn't stop there. In the city centre, James Mwangi Gachoka was picked up at his shop inside Tusker House along Ronald Ngala Street – officers recovered 16 tablets and 19 mobile phones from the spot.
Over at Kangemi Bus Station, Samuel Sifuna Simiyu, a loader working with Starways Express, was arrested for helping move these stolen consignments using selected drivers.
In Ngumba Estate, Abonyo Adhiambo Mourine got caught with two phones and two laptops, and more phone parts were found in her shop called Jamki Accessories along Tom Mboya Street.
Thome Estate wasn't left out – Kelvin Kuria Wanjeri was arrested after 46 different mobile phones were recovered from his crib.
And then in the Industrial Area along Chogoria Road, Mike Ngugi Mwaura was nabbed at a garage where eight mobile phones and one laptop were found inside his motor vehicle.
Many of these recovered phones had been tampered with – some flashed or factory reset, others broken down into spare parts ready for sale.
The good news? At least one rightful owner has already been traced. Edna Wambui from Ngando in Dagoretti positively identified her stolen phone (which was snatched while she was serving customers at the market) and recorded her statement.
The DCI says they are not playing – they remain fully committed to smashing these black-market networks and putting an end to phone snatching across Kenyan towns.
Nairobi residents, stay vigilant but also celebrate this small victory. Your outcry was heard, and action was taken.
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