Ruaka, a busy town on the outskirts of Nairobi, is usually a place of high activity and trade. However, a terrifying robbery occurred there on a Friday afternoon. It happened in broad daylight. The incident was caught on camera.
Two employees of a local salon were standing outside their workplace. They were having a casual moment. They did not know a violent encounter was about to unfold. Suddenly, a man armed with a pistol appeared.
The Initial Confrontation
According to CCTV footage aired by Citizen TV, the man approached the two women. He attempted to snatch a mobile phone. One woman quickly tried to hide the device behind her back. This did not stop the attacker.
The robber became aggressive. He struck the woman with his pistol. He used force to try and make her surrender the phone. Throughout the attack, the two women were heard screaming for help.
The Chase into the Salon
A crowd began to charge toward the gunman. He noticed them and turned. He fired his weapon to scare them away. People scattered for cover. 
The two women used the commotion to try and escape.
The attacker followed his target into the salon. CCTV footage captured him violently assaulting her inside. He pulled at her clothing during the struggle. He eventually seized the phone. The device is valued at more than 100,000 shillings.
The gangster fired more shots as he left. This was to deter the gathering crowd. He then escaped on a waiting motorcycle. The entire operation lasted less than a minute.
A Pattern of Insecurity
The incident was reported at Ruaka Police Station. It has caused significant fear among local business owners. One person remarked: "It will really affect us."
This is not an isolated event in the area. Just seven kilometres away, another theft occurred at Runda Mall. A gang stole 1.95 million shillings from a car.
The family in that case had withdrawn the cash from a bank in the Industrial Area. They were trailed to the mall. CCTV captured a woman who was part of the gang trailing the family. The suspects broke into the vehicle and escaped. The couple had plans for construction with that money.
These incidents come shortly after another robbery at Chaiiwali Café in Westlands where two-armed robbers stormed the restaurant before making away with several mobile phones.
Police say investigations are ongoing. They are continuing to pursue the suspects involved in these brazen attacks.
