How thieves targeted same Nakuru shop four times in three months
John Mbuthi counting the loses in his shop after a burglary incident that took place in his shop on October 22, 2024.
As we strolled through the streets of Nakuru on October 22, talking to residents about their expectations of the new County Police Commander, we visited the Karimbux bus terminus.
Here, we spoke with Simon Nasieku, the chairperson of the Karimbux Stage Stall Owners and Traders' Association.
During our conversation on security, he directed us to the shop of one of the traders. Upon arrival, we found a shop that appeared nearly empty.
Inside, we meet John Mbuthi, a phone accessories seller, his face revealing that all was not well. He informs us that earlier that morning, he had discovered his shop had been broken into.
“At around 6 a.m., I received a call from one of the stall owners here at Karimbux, who informed me that my shop looked like it had been broken into. I immediately rushed from my house to the shop,” he says.
John continues, “Upon arrival, I found the metallic door ajar and the padlocks on the floor. Inside, my shop was a mess, with numerous phone accessories missing. Items worth sh. 100,000 have just vanished; I don’t even know where to begin,” he laments.
A metallic padlock holder that was cut by thieves who broke into a shop at Karimbux stage.
John reveals that this was not the first attempt on his shop in the past three months.
“Previously, there have been three attempts to break into my shop. Once, the culprits tried to enter through the roof, but they were unsuccessful because I had reinforced it with an extra layer of iron sheets. The other two attempts were made through the door, but they didn’t succeed,” he explains.
However, this time they drilled through the padlock, destroying it, and easily gained access to his shop.
“After each break-in, I have had to repair and reinforce the doors. Each time, it has cost me nearly sh. 1,500 for the welders and sh. 2,500 for new padlocks,” he laments.
John concludes by stating that this is his only source of income, and he feels uncertain about how he will manage to restock his shop while also making ends meet.
Simon Nasieku notes that John Mbuthi's case is the second burglary this month; a cereal shop at the stage was also broken into, with several items stolen.
“We urge the security agencies to intensify patrols in this area, as this situation is becoming too much to bear. Traders here are living in fear of coming to work the next morning and finding their shops robbed,” he says.