CCTV footage reveals the harrowing moment a 24-hour shop turns into a crime scene as a ruthless gang strikes.

The sleepy calm of a coastal night in Mtwapa was shattered in the early hours of this morning as a terrifying scene of violence and robbery unfolded, captured in chilling detail by Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV). At exactly 2:28 AM, what began as a routine transaction at a local 24-hour shop descended into a nightmare, exposing the brazen impunity with which armed gangs are now operating in Kilifi County’s busiest economic hub.

The footage, which has since gone viral, paints a disturbing picture of the region's deteriorating security. The shopkeeper, a man whose identity has been withheld for his safety, is seen calmly attending to his duties behind the counter. He is serving two men who, to the untrained eye, appear to be ordinary customers. They stand at the counter, perhaps buying late-night essentials, their demeanor betraying no sign of the violence that is about to erupt. For a moment, the scene is mundane—a testament to the 24-hour economy that Mtwapa is famous for.

The Ambush Unfolds

The atmosphere shifts instantaneously at 2:30 AM. The "customers" were merely the advance party. Suddenly, the shopkeeper spots movement outside—a larger group of men emerging from the shadows. Realization dawns too late. As he attempts to react, the trap snaps shut. A gang of more than five men, armed with crude but deadly weapons including pangas (machetes) and heavy sticks, storms the premises.

The shopkeeper’s instinct for self-preservation kicks in. He rushes to the main grille, attempting to slam it shut and lock out the intruders. His screams, piercing and filled with helplessness, echo on the audio recording of the footage, a haunting cry for help that would go unanswered by the sleeping town. But the gang is too fast and too numerous. They overpower him within seconds, forcing the door open with brute strength that speaks of practiced coordination.

• The Takeover: The thugs swarm the small space, filling the shop with menacing energy. "Open up! Open!" they are heard shouting, their voices low and aggressive.
• The Submission: Outnumbered and facing lethal weapons, the shopkeeper is ordered to lie on the floor. He complies, surrendering to the cold reality of the barrel and the blade.
• The Looting: With the owner subdued, the gang ransacks the premises. They go straight for the cash box, sweeping the night's earnings into their pockets. "Where is all the other money?" one demands, dissatisfied with the haul.

A Community on Edge

The robbery lasted only minutes, but its impact will be felt for months. Beyond the cash, the thugs grabbed goods from the shelves, with one brazenly seen picking up packs of diapers—a bizarre detail that highlights the opportunistic nature of the crime. As they fled into the darkness, they left behind a traumatized businessman and a community gripping with fear.

This incident is not an isolated event but part of a rising tide of insecurity in Mtwapa and the wider Kilifi region. Business owners, particularly those operating in the 24-hour economy, are now questioning their safety. "We pay taxes, we pay for licenses to operate at night, but where is the police when we are being hunted like animals?" asked a neighboring trader who requested anonymity. The footage stands as a stark indictment of the security lapses in the area, leaving residents to wonder who will be next when the sun goes down.