Two suspected robbers lie dead, a cloud of teargas hangs over Moi Avenue, and a city already on edge is asking the same question: Is the CBD safe?

In a scene that turned a busy Tuesday lunch hour into a chaotic scramble for safety, plainclothes police officers shot and killed two men believed to be part of a notorious gang targeting bank customers. The incident, which occurred just before noon near the junction with Kenyatta Avenue, has thrown a harsh spotlight on the resurgence of violent "trailing" gangs in Nairobi’s commercial heart.

Panic on the Pavement

The drama unfolded with the sudden violence that has become all too familiar to Nairobians. According to witnesses and police reports, a man had just stepped out of a bank along Moi Avenue, carrying approximately KES 300,000 in an envelope. He was unaware that he had been marked.

A gang of at least five men, who had been trailing him, struck as he neared the bustling National Archives area. They cornered the victim, brandishing knives and snatching the cash. But their escape was cut short.

Plainclothes officers from the Nairobi Central Police Station, who were reportedly on patrol and monitoring the group, intervened instantly. When the suspects defied orders to surrender and turned their weapons on the officers, the police opened fire.

"I heard two loud bangs and saw people running in every direction," said a boutique attendant near Contrast House, who requested anonymity. "Within seconds, police were everywhere. It was terrifying because the street was packed."

• The Toll: Two suspects fatally wounded; bodies moved to City Mortuary.
• The Escape: Three to six accomplices fled into the crowd, reportedly with the stolen cash.
• The Recovery: Police retrieved three knives, mobile phones, and keys believed to belong to past victims.

The 'Bank Trailing' Epidemic

While the swift police action has been praised by some, the incident exposes a sophisticated criminal pattern. Central Police Commander Stephene Nyakombo confirmed that this gang specializes in "trailing"—identifying customers withdrawing large sums and following them until they reach a vulnerable spot.

This is not an isolated event. It mirrors a disturbing trend ticking upward as the festive season approaches:

• November 13: An official from Embassava Matatu Sacco was robbed of KES 500,000 in a nearly identical attack after leaving a bank in the same area.
• The MO: Large groups (5-10 men) create confusion in crowded corridors like Moi Avenue and Kimathi Lane, allowing them to swarm a victim and vanish into the pedestrian traffic.

"These criminals are not working alone," a senior detective told Streamline News on background. "They often have spotters inside banking halls or collude with insiders who tip them off about withdrawals. We are closing in on that network."

A City on Edge

The aftermath of the shooting was as chaotic as the crime itself. As hundreds of onlookers gathered to witness the scene—a grim Nairobi ritual—police were forced to lob teargas canisters to disperse the crowd and retrieve the bodies. For a few minutes, the heart of the capital was a mix of stinging smoke and nervous speculation.

Commander Nyakombo has assured the public that a manhunt is underway for the fleeing suspects, one of whom is believed to have sustained gunshot injuries. "We have deployed more personnel to ensure safety for all in the city ahead of the festivities," he stated.

But for the traders and commuters on Moi Avenue, the reassurance is mixed with caution. The message from the streets is clear: the police are watching, but so are the robbers.