The United States Embassy in Kenya has issued a security alert regarding an increase in crime in residential areas of Nairobi County. The embassy advises its citizens to exercise caution while walking in these areas, as incidents of purse and phone snatching have been reported.
The embassy urges US citizens to maintain situational awareness, keep a low profile, and avoid displaying signs of wealth. Valuables should be concealed, and individuals are advised not to physically resist robbery attempts. Instead, they should remain calm, as confrontations with criminals can escalate into violence.
Additionally, the embassy recommends keeping car doors locked and windows up while driving. The Kenyan government is taking steps to address the issue by deploying more police in high-crime areas.
Despite previous claims by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki that urban crime had been curbed, there has been a recent resurgence in criminal activities in Nairobi. Small groups of armed criminals have been terrorizing citizens, prompting the National Police Service to implement a multi-agency response to combat the problem.