Impunity: The good, bad and anarchy of Ruto's Nairobi tour

Some of the best-trained police officers, both uniformed and plainclothed, are stationed in any area deemed to have a strategic weakness or where intelligence suggests that trouble could arise before, during, or after the President’s visit.

However, for three consecutive days, a group of criminals turned President William Ruto’s city tour into a gangster’s paradise, robbing and assaulting innocent civilians along the way.

On Tuesday, President Ruto was forced to cancel a rally scheduled at Car Wash, Roysambu Constituency, moments after his security detail was reinforced amid chaos that erupted along the Thika Superhighway.

The criminals hid in plain sight, positioning themselves ahead of and behind the President’s convoy. They alternated between cheering the President and wreaking havoc, with even police and elite security agents in the Head of State’s convoy appearing helpless.

In one instance in Kawangware, the gang attacked pedestrians and robbed some right next to a police vehicle in which officers were seated.

Their positioning allowed them to pose as die-hard supporters of the President, gaining the trust of unsuspecting bystanders while avoiding being perceived as a threat. At the same time, it was strategic enough for them to identify targets, strike, and return to their positions unnoticed.

They mugged pedestrians, vandalised cars, looted businesses, and made off with goods and money of undisclosed value. Some even attacked passengers in public service vehicles.

President Ruto has been on a tour of Nairobi County, inspecting projects and holding rallies in Kenya’s capital.

On Monday, Nairobi County Chief Officer for Environment, Geoffrey Mosiria, was among several individuals violently robbed during President Ruto’s rally in Kamukunji. A group of youths accosted Mr Mosiria, stealing his mobile phone and other valuables he had in a bag. He was forced to take refuge in one of the NYS lorries stationed on the ground.

Nation Media Group videographer Louis Ngari was also among those robbed, right in front of the President’s convoy and security detail.

Business owners suffered losses of undisclosed value as gangs looted shops in the area.

On Tuesday, several pedestrians and businesses around the Mountain Mall area along Thika Road were targeted. Robberies also occurred along Juja and Outering roads, with several pedestrians being mugged.

And on Wednesday, the crime spree continued, leaving many wondering: where are the police?

Police spokesperson Michael Muchiri said that Inspector-General Douglas Kanja ordered police bosses on Tuesday night to put an end to the chaos.

“These incidents (robberies during President Ruto’s tour) must be stopped. The DCI has been incorporated, and perpetrators caught on video or in images robbing people or vandalising businesses are already being pursued. It is unprecedented, but police commanders have been instructed to devise clear strategies to tackle such attacks,” Mr Muchiri said.

“We have large crowds attending these events, and some individuals among them have bad intentions. Commanders were instructed last night to ensure these criminal acts are stopped,” he added.

Several social media users shared videos and photos of the chaos, expressing shock and anger at the helplessness of hundreds of Kenyans.

The shared videos and images, Mr Muchiri said, have helped the DCI begin tracking down the culprits, who will be prosecuted.

“So, chaos, mugging, etc., all over Thika Road for hours and security forces are AWOL, but during peaceful protests, the entire Interior Department is deployed to Nairobi? What a wow?” Ory Okollo-Mwangi posted on X.

“They ferried people in, and they’re actually stealing from people along Thika Road,” Hanifa Farsafi posted on X.

Hours after the Inspector-General’s orders to stop the looting during President Ruto’s tour, the gangs struck again.

Several business owners in Kawangware opted to close shop, even after the President had left, fearing further losses to the gangs.

On Tuesday, when the President visited Mathare and Ruaraka, the crime spree was at its peak.

Gunshots were heard in some parts of Thika Road as thugs disrupted the event.

It all started in the Mlango Kubwa area of Pangani when the President stopped to address the crowd. Thugs began snatching phones from people who were paying attention to the speech.

“Naibiwa… ndio hawa… simu yangu inaenda jamani (They are stealing from me…, they are taking my phone),” one woman was heard calling for help some distance from where the President was speaking.

As the President’s motorcade proceeded into the heart of Mathare, in Mabatini, where he launched development projects at St Teresa’s School, a police officer among the security team was forced to draw his gun to disperse youths stealing from pedestrians and motorists.

Before heading to Ruaraka Constituency, the President visited Mathare Ward, where he addressed the crowd and launched his affordable housing programme.

Among those who accompanied him from Mathare were the criminals, who jumped over the barriers along the road and began stealing from motorists.

They also stopped several buses plying Thika Road and robbed passengers.

More than three gunshots were fired along Thika Road to scare away the criminals, just a few kilometres from where the President was inspecting projects.

Some of those who failed to escape felt the wrath of angry touts and passengers, who ganged up to defend themselves.

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