DIG Lagat Orders Crackdown on Phone Snatching After Surprise Visit to Kabete Police Station

Nairobi, Kenya — September 23, 2025, 17:40 EAT.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Kenya Police Service, Eliud Lagat, has directed Nairobi-based officers to intensify the fight against rising cases of phone snatching and street crime after conducting a surprise inspection at Kabete Police Station on Tuesday morning.

The Latest

DIG Lagat arrived unannounced at the Kabete Police Station on September 23, 2025, as part of his routine field inspections aimed at enhancing police responsiveness and operational readiness.

Accompanied by Dagoretti Sub-County Police Commander SSP Kivinda Kilonzo and Sub-County Criminal Investigations Officer SP Adan Bagaja, Lagat toured the station’s critical facilities, including:

• Report and Inquiry Office

• Gender and Children Office

• Traffic Department

• Armoury

• Male and female holding cells

“You are doing an excellent job in service delivery to the people of Dagoretti and Nairobi at large. The public depends on you for safety, and I appreciate your vigilance,” DIG Lagat told officers, urging them to maintain high visibility in crime-prone areas.

Context in Brief

Nairobi has in recent months witnessed a surge in petty crimes, particularly phone snatching in densely populated neighborhoods such as Dagoretti, Eastleigh, and the CBD.

Data from the National Police Service (NPS) indicates:

• Average 30+ phone theft cases daily reported in Nairobi County.

• Incidents peak during rush hours when pedestrians are targeted near bus stops and markets.

• The crime wave has fueled public outcry, with victims demanding tougher enforcement and CCTV surveillance in high-risk zones.

The DIG’s visit comes days after several viral videos showed pedestrians being violently attacked by phone snatchers, prompting renewed pressure on security agencies.

Law, Policy, and Process

• Constitutional Mandate: Article 244(b) of the Constitution of Kenya requires police to prevent corruption and maintain discipline and professionalism.

• Criminal Procedure Code: Phone snatching falls under robbery with violence when force is involved, punishable by death under Section 296(2).

• Operational Orders: County commanders are expected to deploy plainclothes officers and conduct intelligence-led patrols targeting criminal hotspots.

Voices and Stakeholders

• DIG Eliud Lagat: “Our officers must respond firmly to these crimes. Nairobians deserve safety in public spaces.”

• Dagoretti Sub-County Police Commander SSP Kivinda Kilonzo: Pledged increased foot and motorised patrols in phone-snatching hotspots.

• Local Residents: Community leader Mary Wanjiku urged police to “combine patrols with CCTV cameras so that criminals have nowhere to hide.”

Evidence & Data Box

• Reported Cases: 4,300 phone-snatching incidents in Nairobi between January–August 2025 (NPS data).

• Arrests: 312 suspects arrested in connection with phone theft rings in the same period.

• Technology: NPS launched the Imeepukana na Wezi campaign in July 2025 to integrate stolen-phone tracking with mobile networks.

Risks, Implications, Scenarios

• Short-term: Visible police presence may deter crime temporarily but risks pushing criminals into new neighborhoods.

• Medium-term: Public confidence in the police will improve if arrests translate into successful prosecutions.

• Policy angle: May revive debate on installing more CCTV cameras under the Nairobi Metropolitan Services plan.

What We Don’t Know Yet

• Whether NPS will roll out a citywide anti-mugging task force.

• If the Interior Ministry will allocate additional funding for urban crime surveillance.

• How quickly suspects already arrested will be prosecuted.

Timeline

• 2025-09-23 (10:00 AM): DIG Lagat visits Kabete Police Station unannounced.

• 2025-09-23 (11:30 AM): Orders crackdown on phone snatching and petty crime.

• 2025-09-25: Nairobi County Police Command to table action plan on enhanced patrols.

What to Watch

• Public Safety Committee’s response to rising urban crime.

• Budgetary allocations for urban policing in the next Finance Bill.

• Impact of intensified patrols on Nairobi’s reported crime rates.

Editor’s Note: This article draws on verified NPS data, official police statements, and eyewitness accounts from Dagoretti residents.