Mosiria Exposes New Trick Used by CBD Thieves After Arrest

Nairobi County Chief Environment Officer, Geoffrey Mosiria, has raised fresh concerns about a disturbing trick being used by criminals to rob unsuspecting Kenyans in the Central Business District (CBD).

His warning comes at a time when cases of theft and violent robbery in the city centre have been rising sharply, leaving many residents on edge.

During a late-night patrol operation in the CBD on Saturday, Mosiria and his team intercepted a man believed to be part of a gang of thieves targeting Nairobians. Shockingly, the suspect, who was identified as a member of a street family, was found carrying police handcuffs.

The discovery revealed a new tactic where criminals disguise themselves as law enforcement officers to trick and rob the public.

In a video shared by the county official, the man could be seen being grilled by county officers after they found the handcuffs among his belongings.

Investigations later showed that the handcuffs were official property belonging to the National Police Service (NPS).

Although the suspect tried to defend himself by claiming he had stumbled upon the handcuffs while scavenging through trash, Mosiria dismissed his explanation.

According to him, the man was part of a growing group of impostors who pose as police officers to intimidate, harass, and rob unsuspecting Kenyans.

Following his arrest, the suspect was immediately handed over to the Central Police Station, where Mosiria urged any members of the public who might have encountered him to step forward and report their experiences.

“Tonight, during our joint patrol with the National Police Service in the CBD, we arrested a man believed to be part of street families that harass and steal from the public.

Upon searching his belongings, we recovered police handcuffs, which he could not account for,” Mosiria’s statement partly read.

He further noted that the incident is not isolated, as his office has received numerous complaints from city residents who have fallen victim to impostors posing as police officers.

Many of these criminals reportedly use police-like authority to intimidate their victims, extort money, or forcefully rob them. The arrested suspect will remain in custody as investigations continue before being taken to court.

Crackdown on Criminal Hideouts

Mosiria assured Nairobians that his department, together with the National Police Service, is committed to dismantling criminal networks within the CBD. He revealed that part of the strategy will involve clearing illegal structures and makeshift shelters that gangs often use as their operational bases.

“The National Police Service has assured Nairobi residents of intensified patrols and strict enforcement measures to root out all criminal gangs operating in the city centre,” he affirmed.

Fear of Infamous Gangs Returning

This arrest comes at a time when many city dwellers are expressing renewed fears of notorious gangs creeping back into the CBD. In recent weeks, residents have narrated disturbing accounts of how some victims have been drugged without their knowledge before being robbed.

On September 3, Mosiria had already announced a full-scale crackdown in partnership with the NPS after reports of criminals using a dangerous chemical substance known as “Devil’s Breath” to carry out robberies.

Scientifically called scopolamine, the drug is often used in powder form and can be blown into a victim’s face or transferred through simple contact such as handshakes, pieces of paper, or even contaminated objects.

One of the most dangerous effects of scopolamine is disorientation. Victims who inhale or come into contact with it often lose awareness, become confused, and can even be manipulated into handing over their possessions without resistance.

In many cases, the victims do not even recall what happened afterwards, making it extremely difficult to identify or prosecute the criminals involved.

Content Creators Turned Criminals

Apart from drugging incidents and fake police tricks, Mosiria also pointed out another worrying trend. He claimed that some people who present themselves as online content creators in the CBD are not genuine.

While they appear to be harmless during the day as they take videos and interact with the public, Mosiria alleged that some of them transform into petty thieves and gang members as evening approaches.

“They pose as content creators during the daytime to avoid suspicion, but by around 5pm, some of them switch roles and begin stealing from unsuspecting people in the city centre,” Mosiria explained.

A Growing Concern for Nairobi Residents

The rise in these criminal tactics—whether it is impersonating police officers, drugging victims, or hiding behind social media activities—has sparked a new wave of anxiety among city residents and business people who depend on the CBD daily.

Many Kenyans have called for more visible policing, CCTV monitoring, and tighter regulations to ensure safety in the city.

As the crackdown continues, Mosiria emphasized that both the county government and the National Police Service will keep working closely to eliminate such threats, restore order, and guarantee the safety of all Nairobians who use the CBD for business, work, and transit.

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