Naimuggery

(photos courtesy of Google)

I knew this day would come. I had planned and schemed how I would get myself out, but I knew no matter how prepared I was, my reactions would be different. For one I had planned to go after the leader, plan number two, attack the subordinates then go back to wrestling with the leader and making an example for others. How wrong I was.

I was coming out of class, tired. The lecturer left early so it was around 7.45 when I reached Nairobi, alighted from the bus and walked to the bus stop, unaware of my fate.

As I was walking I saw a girl in a Hijab. She was always borrowing from people passing by the pavement and I had seen and helped her several times. I reached in my pocket and grabbed 30 shillings and put it in her hand. She was grateful and skipped on to the following people. I have questioned myself was it God, thanking me for my generosity? How had I escaped the knife’s edge?

As I crossed the busy jam, I was being followed by three gentlemen in heavy jackets. It had drizzled while I was in the bus, so I understood the need to keep warm. They came too close to me and I jerked. I looked behind and saw their faces. I knew my day had come.

The guy on the right, short in stature, realized I had noticed them and had a rough idea of their intentions. “Boss, tupee pesa ama tukudunge kisu” (give us your money or we will kill you with a knife). My heart beat faster. I was disoriented. I looked at him closely thinking it was a joke. Maybe a TV show where people scared others for fun, but he was serious.

I couldn’t speak. I became confused. If I ran, I would be dubbed a criminal. To cover themselves, thieves turn on their victims, accusing them of being the thieves, prompting the infamous ‘mob justice’. I remembered there was always a traffic police at the intersection in front of me, but it was too far. They would have killed me before I reached. I had to act. I couldn’t attack them, because it would mean my life. They were three.

I increased my steps. I was on a road well lit and there were many people around us because there was the Githurai stage in front of us and the Odeon bus stop. Moreover there was a couple behind them who would have screamed if they attacked me. I partly ran, partly walked up to a café and stood with the guard at the door.

I felt safe. At least there were people inside and I had increased my chances to fight back. I tried to explain to the guard I was being stalked and that they were behind me. As I was doing this, the crooks passed looking through to see if I had gone to a corner or hid myself where they could pick me off easily.

Their leader was not amused and threatened to attack as I pointed to them and talked with bated breath that they are robbers. I gave him eyes that said “come on, you had me outnumbered but I have backup, I am no longer scared of you.” He looked pissed. However, his friend pushed him back and they disappeared into the corner to look for another easier target.

One of the guys at the café listened to my ordeal and we agreed since they could be waiting to ‘revenge’ as I passed to go home, it was important to have a second person accompany me. They usually attack adults who are alone or a group of teens who cannot fight them of, but mostly ladies whom they overpower. With two guys, their chances of attacking me had slimmed. I arrived at the bus stop boarded the matatu and gave the gentleman 40 shillings (it was a kind gesture; someone who risks their lives to help you should be rewarded). He didn’t ask for it.

I may have escaped, but I am sure the gang leader is pissed at letting someone get away and make ‘fun’ of him. I am sure if he saw me again, he will not ask kindly.  

Of course I am shaken up. Someone wanted to kill me for 140 shillings. I need serious therapy, however, sharing this story relieves some of the pain. Next time I might not be so lucky. It is Nairobi. It is a way of life. People will just tell you, “It is life move on.”

This leaves me thinking, what if I have children? What about if I was married? What if it was someone I knew robbing me? What if it was a prominent person being robbed? What if they get someone tonight and actually kill them for resisting or just kill them because of anger? What if they get killed? Why waste a life, even if it is a thief? I am not sympathizing with them, I just feel sorry. What if they could become good people in the society? What about their families?

 I don’t believe in violence. It will never solve anything. But LOVE makes the world go around. God loved me and still does because He saved me from the jaws of criminals. Of course they never want to kill, but because of the ‘swift’ justice of Nairobians, they are scared too and will do anything to protect themselves from danger. Some of them are too scared and will most likely attack without thinking. But this group were level headed. They tried to frighten me, when I didn’t bulge they remained calm and walked away. If it was others they would have killed me where I stood, even in front of people.

A few weeks back my brother was robbed by these knife wielding bandits as he celebrated his success in KCSE. The week before, one of my friends on Facebook had posted how he was robbed of his phone. After my brother’s ordeal, a passenger boarding the matatu I was in, came in complaining of how he was robbed of his money. The following day another friend on Facebook posted on how he was robbed. On Monday the following week a lady described how another lady was robbed in a bus and the passengers did nothing as she sat and cried. The next week I was attacked and escaped. You could say it was a warning, but Easter is around the corner. People have to party and make merry and of course thieves know it is a good time for them to also make merry.

The question goes, in three weeks six people been attacked or robbed, where are the police? Where is the Governor? Where is the Minister for Internal Security? Where is the Inspector General of Police? Who will protect us from these hooligans?

My answer ME. I will protect myself. The CS, IG, Governor and Police cannot protect every individual in this country. I should protect myself first. The thieves are not attacking them, they are attacking me. If I had not noticed they were too close, I would not be here to write this story. It does not happen in Nairobi only, it happens throughout the world, 

(South African Anchor being mugged on live television)

so my advice would be

• Do not walk in poorly lit areas.
•  Always be aware and alert of your surroundings while walking. Avoid distractions such as phone calls or listening to music on your earphones.
• Try and see if you can escape to a more populous location if attacked.
• Raise an alarm to scare them and attract attention of others who might help (Though this maybe risky, because sometimes people watch, then help you when the assailants leave)
• If you cannot run or escape, give them what they want and be happy you have your life. Your phone, money, wallet or other personal belongings are less important than your life.
• Pray and ask for God’s protection, whichever religion you are.

It may sound cliché, but be careful. You only live once.

At least I have had that experience. I have learned to be more careful.

Nairobi is my City. This is my home. There will always be evil in the world, but as long as God is by my side, then why should I be afraid. I was born and bred here. I love it and would not change it for anything else.

God Bless Nairobi, God Bless Kenya, and God Bless the World.