Normalcy slowly returning after thugs on motorbikes cause chaos in Bee Center, Umoja

Traders in Bee Center and sections of Umoja estate in Nairobi were on Friday forced to close their businesses after dozens of youth on noisy motorbikes caused chaos, targeting to rob residents.

A number of shops were closed for a better part of Friday as shopkeepers and residents feared being robbed or looted.

The incident happened around 12pm Friday – and would leave many residents nursing feelings of anxiety spreading into Saturday and Sunday.

Many parents are concerned, and are cautiously preventing their teenage sons from loitering in the area.

There is silent concern that teenagers could be mistaken, harassed or arrested as residents heighten vigilance.

According to residents, the youth who invaded Bee Center harassed and robbed innocent people, before they were repelled by armed businessmen and police who arrived at the scene in two vehicles.

Police said they had been trailing the gangs after residents raised concern across Nairobi.

John, who works as a barber in Bee Center, said the incident had affected their businesses, as customers were choosing to keep away from the trading areas for fear of being robbed.

“I was attending to a customer when I suddenly heard loud noises; motorbikes racing around and honking uncontrollably,” he said.

“Our staff quickly closed the shop doors, and we locked ourselves inside,” said John.

On Friday, the police, working together with local businessmen, cornered and arrested a number of youth, and their motorbikes confiscated.

Edgar Kamau, a resident of the area, told Wananchi reporting that there had been cases of theft in the area, often orchestrated by youth.

Bee Center, which serves as a major intersection point linking Jacaranda estate, Kayole, Umoja 1 and Nasra estate, has often been targeted by gangs moving around and robbing people.

“I was recently mugged the other day while walking on the side of the road, and my phone taken by a group of youth,” said Kamau.

In 2024, during the political demonstrations, a bicycle shop owner in Bee Center lost his entire stock to the gang, mostly made up of young people.

A restaurant and a barbershop also had their windows pelted with stones in 2024.

Residents have identified the stretch along Spring road; from Bee Center roundabout extending towards Kayole corner, as a hotspot and playground for thieves.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) said they had arrested 38 suspects in connection with the Friday incident.

“In light of the recent attacks targeting innocent members of the public along Thika Highway, Waiyaki way and Jogoo Road, police officers have taken swift action to hold the perpetrators accountable. The suspects have been apprehended and are currently in police custody," read the statement in part.

In the statement, police said they had seized seven motorcycles believed to have been used by the gangs to terrorize members of the public.

A number of mobile phones were also recovered from the suspects who will face various charges, including robbery with violence, preparation to commit a felony and obstruction.