Two Chinese nationals and their Kenyan driver were allegedly robbed of nearly KSh 4 million after armed men disguised as police officers ambushed their vehicle along the Nairobi-Keroka Road in Nyamira County. The incident occurred as the trio travelled through the Mekenene area. A Toyota Probox, unusually decorated with flowers typically seen on wedding vehicles, was used in the robbery.
The robbery occurred when the Toyota Probox overtook and forced their blue BMW to a halt. Two men stepped out of the Probox carrying what looked like walkie-talkies, convincing the driver they were law enforcement officers. The driver complied and brought the vehicle to a stop. Once the car was stationary, the suspects turned violent, kicking the occupants before making off with KSh 3.9 million in cash.
In addition to the cash, the suspects stole a Huawei mobile phone valued at KSh 50,000, personal items estimated at KSh 200,000, and a set of confidential company documents. The victims also lost their identification cards and other credentials during the attack. The men then jumped back into the Probox and sped away.
Police confirmed they launched investigations shortly after the incident was reported, with a dedicated team assembled by Monday to pursue the case. The team has already interrogated the victims as part of the ongoing probe. Investigators reportedly suspect the robbery may have been an inside job.
The Nyamira incident fits a troubling pattern that authorities say has been on the rise. Criminals have increasingly been targeting individuals who withdraw large sums of money from banks, either following them from banking halls or intercepting them on the road shortly after. Investigations into similar cases have revealed that some gang members position themselves inside bank branches, discreetly monitoring transactions before trailing their targets.
Police say several suspects linked to this trend have since been arrested and are facing prosecution, though the attacks continue. Detectives are pursuing those behind the Nyamira robbery as part of the broader crackdown on organised gangs exploiting this method. In a related incident, Bondeni Police Station officers launched a coordinated operation on September 20, 2026, targeting a gang terrorising residents in Nakuru.
The operation resulted in the arrest of three suspects who were riding a motorcycle and robbing residents across Manyani and Kivumbini Estates. Officers recovered weapons and a motorcycle from the suspects following the arrest in Manyani Estate. The incident was reported by Hillary Lisimba, a human-interest editor at TUKO Media Ltd, with over 20 years of experience in creating content.
Key points
- The suspects used a flower-decorated Toyota Probox to force the victims' BMW to stop.
- The robbery may have been an inside job, according to investigators.
- The incident is part of a rising trend of targeted robberies in Kenya.
