Nairobi City over the years has grown to be a hideout of notorious gang members and other criminals leaving members of the public worried.
Almost everyone have, in one way on the other, encountered robbers, thieves and gang members doing their ‘jobs’.
In Nairobi, when thugs pounce on you then ‘you are on your own’ as the public is always scared to be caught up in the mix.
Because of the continued insecurity, here are some few tips that can hlp you avoid getting cauhgt up in unclear situations with gang members.
Don’t look lost
There is a way gang identifies newbies in the city from the way they are stressed out.
If you are not familiar with a certain area in the city, ask security guards for direction and not any other passer by.
Fake a call and sound comfortable until you figure out the place.
Note: you can always mark The Kenya National Archive as the key point.
Avoid dark areas
At night, the downtown in the city is the riskiest part because of its dark alleys and sections.
Avoid these areas like plague and rather use main roads where there are a lot of people doing business and bright lights.
Do not use earphones
Listening to music can be one way to stay ‘lost’ in mind and one cannot know when you are attacked.
You can, however, put your earphones and turn off music just to be part of comoflaging from rude hawkers.
Have a company
Mostly for ladies, having a company is the best idea because they are the best prey for robbers.
Ladies are soft target unlike men who can be tactful.
Don’t use ATM
Do not use ATM at night for it is attracting a lot of ‘potential’ thieves.
You might go sco free from town but they will follow you till you reach your place.
Do not talk to strangers
Nairobi being the capital of con men, it is safe not to talk to strangers.
Someone will come to you asking for direction and conversations pick up and with no time you are lost with no money, no phone and everything you had.
I have heard a lot of stories of ladies sayig they talked to a guy and the next thing they realize is being at home with nothing.
It is always safe to be polite but you can tell them you ‘don’t know’ or ‘ask he guard’.
Do not buy stuff from passer-by
Many people have fallen prey of con men selling phones and giving you stones wrapped up in a mobile phone’s housing.
These type of con men will sell you something and next step they will be shouting ‘thief thief’.
Buy goods from shops with receipts that shows you are the owner.
You can also try buying from hawkers but not someone selling only one item.
What is your story that you have encountered i the city?