Crime-busting police officers are burning the midnight oil to crack a ring of thugs based in Kayole, notorious for luring digital boda boda riders before violently robbing them.
Officers at the heart of the operation say they have established a pattern followed by the suspects, starting with victims getting lured from the CBD to the dens of the robbers in the informal settlement.
According to police reports, suspects posing as clients would book rides through the Bolt platform, typically requesting trips from the CBD to Kayole.
But the destination – a secluded and often poorly served area known as Log – is where the danger begins.
Once riders arrive, they are ambushed by armed accomplices lying in wait. Victims are robbed of their mobile phones, cash, personal valuables and in some cases, even motorcycles – their primary source of income.
There have also been cases of unauthorised transactions made from their mobile money wallets, including M-Pesa.
In just over three weeks, between early May and June 8, police at Kayole station recorded four similar incidents.
The cases have been documented under the Occurrence Book as OB45/24/5/2025, OB59/28/5/2025, OB76/6/6/2025 and OB16/8/6/2025.
All the reports follow a disturbingly similar script, strengthening detectives’ belief that a coordinated gang is behind the spate of attacks.
The robbers are reported to be armed with a mix of crude and potentially lethal weapons: sharpened kitchen knives, metal crowbars and in some cases, pistols.
Authorities have expressed concern about where these weapons are coming from and whether there could be collusion with rogue officers or access to illegal arms through organised networks.
“This area, like many informal settlements, is becoming increasingly volatile,” said a detective involved in the case, speaking on condition of anonymity for her safety and because she is not authorised to speak to the press.
“Crime is rising sharply, driven by poverty, high unemployment and a sense of hopelessness. Even university graduates are getting drawn into this.”
In one breakthrough, police arrested two suspects – Peter Ngala and 22-year-old Befley Mokeira – on May 7, in the Nyamavilla area.
They were found in possession of a mobile phone belonging to one of the victims. The arrest followed days of tracking and surveillance work.
Ngala and Mokeira remain in custody after a magistrate granted police 14 more days to complete their investigations.
Investigators are now conducting forensic analysis on 11 phone numbers linked to the suspects. They are also examining M-Pesa transaction records, hoping to trace stolen funds and identify others involved in the ring, as officers believe these are only the tip of the iceberg in what could be a broader network preying on gig economy workers.
Police are urging Bolt riders and other digital taxi operators to remain vigilant.
Riders are advised to confirm the identity of customers before accepting rides, avoid travelling to isolated areas at night and report suspicious behaviour to the nearest police station or through the digital platform’s safety features.
The crackdown in Kayole continues, as investigators dig deeper to shut down the gang and restore a sense of safety for those who rely on their motorcycles to earn an honest living.
by GORDON OSEN
