A violent robbery in the early hours of Wednesday, December 3, 2025, left a night guard dead and liquor shop goods worth about KSh 2.5 million missing in Kahawa West, Nairobi. The attack has rattled residents and reignited fears over rising insecurity in the area.
According to police reports, a gang of assailants stormed the liquor store around 4:00 a.m., broke into the premises, destroyed CCTV cameras, and overpowered the night guard on duty. The guard — believed to be in his 40s — was later found dead.
By morning, the store owner and neighbours discovered the guard’s lifeless body along with signs of forced entry, vandalized security systems and a chaotic interior. Liquor bottles and other stock were missing, and locals estimated the total value of stolen goods at roughly KSh 2.5 million.
The violent heist sparked panic among residents. Some expressed anger at worsening security, while others blamed recent power outages — including the removal of a transformer by Kenya Power — for creating easy conditions for criminals to strike under cover of darkness.
A local store owner, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said:
> “They have really shocked us by killing our security guard. That was the saddest news we received today.”
Many neighbourhood watchers flagged the growing boldness of thieves, especially the use of motorbikes (boda bodas) to carry out quick raids and escape.
Kasarani police, in collaboration with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), have launched a full‑scale probe into the robbery and murder. Officers are reviewing forensic evidence, seeking fingerprints, and examining CCTV from nearby buildings for leads. As of now, no arrests have been made.
Authorities have urged anyone with information — including neighbours or people who saw suspicious movements around the store in the early hours — to come forward.
The killing underscores the vulnerability of security guards and informal workers guarding small businesses during late‑night hours.
It highlights structural issues: poor lighting, gaps in power supply and weak security systems — all factors that embolden criminals.
For Nairobi residents, it is a painful reminder that more needs to be done to safeguard communities and support night‑shift workers.
As investigations continue, residents hope for swift action. Many are calling on police and local government to step up night patrols, restore power infrastructure, and increase support for small‑business owners struggling under rising crime.
By tuko