Suspected thieves trail tourists in Nairobi CBD as Kenyans shield them to safety

The clip shows the moment reporters escorting the visitors moved them to safety, warning them to close ranks as the hooded men trailed the group.

"Waambie wote wakae mbele yako. Kaa rada, mtu asikuwe nyuma yako. Kuna hawa vijana nimeona wamevaa balaclava ndio walikuwa wanataka kuibia hawa wazungu," one of the reporters is heard saying, urging the tourists to stay ahead of him and keep no one at their backs.

According to accounts shared online, the suspects had taken advantage of the confusion created by Friday's protests, which drew hundreds of small-scale traders into the city centre over new customs valuation rules introduced by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).

Carrying banners, blowing vuvuzelas and waving Kenyan flags, the traders massed outside the Kenya National Archives along Tom Mboya Street before marching towards Times Tower, the tax authority's headquarters.

The action was organised by traders drawn from Kamukunji, Gikomba and Nyamakima, and follows the roll-out of a revised customs valuation benchmark on consolidated cargo.

Under the new guidelines, the minimum valuation benchmark for a 40-foot container of consolidated general cargo rose from Ksh.2.5 million to Ksh.3.2 million, a 28 per cent jump that translates to an extra Ksh.700,000 per container.

For small-scale importers who share container space to bring in clothing, electronics and household goods, mainly from China, the increase has landed hard. Traders say it eats into already thin margins, threatens to push smaller enterprises out of business and will ultimately be passed on to consumers.

"If they add the Ksh.700,000, there is no profit we will make," a Kamukunji vendor said during mobilisation ahead of the protest. "We are asking the relevant government agencies to look into the matter."

The demonstrations slowed key commercial corridors in the capital. Public transport and major thoroughfares kept up limited operations, but several shops and retail outlets in the CBD stayed shuttered through the morning, citing security fears and solidarity with the marchers.

In response, KRA said the Ksh.3.2 million figure is a minimum reference point used for simplified customs clearance and risk management, not a flat tax applied to every shipment.

The authority added that traders remain free to de-consolidate their cargo and pay duties based on actual itemised declarations.