Awendo traders raise alarm over criminals posing as customers

Traders and residents in Awendo and its surroundings have raised the alarm following a series of attacks by criminals posing as customers.

Those heavily targeted are mobile money traders and bank agents.

The criminals are said to be part of a larger gang that has been terrorising residents.

According to Livingstone Oduor, a mobile money vendor, he was robbed as two men requested to use his phone to make a phone call, but in the process, money was transferred from his mobile money account. 

He said he is yet to understand how they were able to make the transfer.

On her part, Leah Wangoi a local bank agent, narrated that three people, including a woman, entered her shop, saying they wanted to withdraw Ksh. 200,000 from their mobile money account.

However, when they established how much money she had, the gang turned on her and ordered her to give all the money she had, adding that they would kill her if she didn't comply.

"They told me not to try and shout or things would end badly for me," she said.

Awendo main market deputy chairman, Wallace Oloo, said more than four people have been robbed by armed gangs within a week.

"The other day a woman operating an M-PESA shop was attacked by armed men who beat her up and took her money. Yesterday there was another case where a woman's home was raided and money was stolen," he said.

Locals said they fear for their lives, adding that cases of crime are likely to increase as the festive period nears.

They appealed to the government to intervene and enhance security.