The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has launched investigations after armed robbers stormed a restaurant in Nairobi’s Westlands area and robbed customers at gunpoint before escaping on motorcycles.
The incident happened on Saturday night at a restaurant along General Mathenge Road, with detectives now pursuing four suspects believed to have carried out the daring robbery.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the DCI said the suspects arrived on two motorcycles, entered the restaurant, stole valuables from customers and later fled towards the Parklands area after firing two shots into the air.
“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has commenced investigations into a robbery with violence incident that occurred yesterday at a restaurant along General Mathenge Road in Westlands Sub-County, Nairobi County,” the agency said.
In accordance with the DCI, detectives are already in the process of collecting evidence and obtaining statements from victims and witnesses as part of the process of identifying the suspects involved.
The incident aroused considerable public concern following the posting on social media of CCTV footage showing the robbery.
In the video, two men carrying weapons are shown entering the restaurant through the door shortly after 10.35pm, having been dropped there by motorbikes parked just outside the premises.
The suspects brandish their firearms and then instruct the customers to hand over their personal property.
Within seconds, the robbers start going table by table and collecting cellphones and other valuables from the terrified customers.
After the robbery took place, which took only less than 30 seconds, the assailants left the scene of the crime and escaped on the motorcycles that were waiting outside.
A 9mm cartridge found at the crime scene by police officers is already undergoing forensic examination.
The DCI added that the case was being investigated using intelligence-led and forensic investigations in order to identify, arrest and prosecute the culprits.
It further urged the witnesses to come forward and cooperate during the ongoing investigation of the crime.
“DCI wishes to assure the public that it is steadfastly committed to ensuring that the safety and security of all people in the Republic are guaranteed, as well as ensuring that perpetrators of crimes are prosecuted,” reads the statement.
The robbery has renewed worries about security in some parts of Nairobi, where the robbers have been increasingly identified to be carrying out robbery using motorcycles as a mode of escape.
