Nairobi County has announced a major joint operation with the National Police Service to deal with rising cases of robbery in the Central Business District (CBD).
This comes after growing public outcry over shocking incidents where gangs are said to be using a disturbing technique involving a chemical known as “Devil’s Breath” to rob unsuspecting citizens.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, September 3, by Geoffrey Mosiria, the Nairobi County Chief Officer for Environment.
His statement followed several viral social media reports and emotional video testimonies from victims who claimed they had been targeted using this frightening method.
How Gangs Are Operating in the CBD
According to Mosiria, criminal groups—mostly made up of young men—are disguising themselves as innocent “hustlers” and even pretending to be online content creators during the day.
However, by late afternoon, usually around 5:00 p.m., they switch to criminal activities and begin targeting ordinary people walking through the city centre.
“What makes this alarming,” Mosiria explained, “is that many of the incidents are happening in broad daylight. In some cases, more than a dozen people gang up on one victim during the mugging.”
This level of boldness has left many Nairobi residents fearful, with some saying the city centre has become increasingly unsafe despite heavy human traffic and police presence.
Understanding the ‘Devil’s Breath’
The so-called “Devil’s Breath” is scientifically known as scopolamine. It is a powerful compound that comes from plants such as Brugmansia and Datura, which are found in regions of South America, Asia, and Africa.
While the substance can be useful in small medical doses, such as treating motion sickness, it becomes highly dangerous and toxic when misused. Criminals have discovered its ability to incapacitate victims, making it a weapon for robbery.
Reports suggest that the chemical is often used in powder form. Thugs blow it into a victim’s face or spread it through contaminated objects such as paper, clothing, or even during handshakes. Once inhaled or absorbed, it can cause sudden disorientation and confusion.
Victims may lose control of their judgment and unknowingly hand over valuables to the attackers, often without resisting.
This phenomenon has fueled fear among residents, as it appears almost impossible for victims to realize what is happening until it is too late.
Other Criminal Tricks in the CBD
Apart from gangs using “Devil’s Breath,” Mosiria also raised concerns about collusion between street families and other criminals. He alleged that some street dwellers work with illegal waste dumpers, helping them operate at night while at the same time taking part in robbery activities.
“In some shocking cases, there are even reports of criminals using human waste as a weapon of extortion,” Mosiria revealed. “These individuals dump garbage in the dark, rob unsuspecting residents, and then vanish into the backstreets.”
County and Police Response
To address the situation, Mosiria announced that Nairobi County is planning to flush out street families from backstreet areas of the CBD, which have become hiding spots for thugs.
He added that more police officers have been deployed to monitor activities in the city centre, specifically targeting groups pretending to be content creators but engaging in crime.
The county official assured Nairobi residents that both the county government and the police are working closely to restore safety and protect civilians from these criminal networks.
Leaders Raise Alarm
Concerns about crime in Nairobi’s CBD are not new. Earlier in the week, former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko also warned the public about the surge in mugging incidents.
Sonko shared the story of a young woman who narrated how she narrowly escaped a robbery in broad daylight. According to her account, she was followed by several men armed with weapons. She only managed to escape after attracting attention and seeking help from bystanders.
Her experience has added to the growing calls for urgent action, as many Nairobians feel unsafe when walking through the city centre even during the day.
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