How Nakuru Woman Endured Five-Hour Ordeal During Home Robbery

An ordinary evening turned into a terrifying experience for Ms. Nelly Kosgei, a resident of Naivasha, Kenya, when she was held captive in her own home by armed robbers for over five hours.

On February 13, 2024, Ms. Kosgei returned home from work at her usual time and followed her regular routine. After entering the house, she intended to warm up dinner and check on her seven-year-old daughter. However, her sense of security was shattered when she answered a knock at the door, mistakenly believing it to be the security guard. Instead, five armed men posing as police officers forced their way into the residence. They instructed Ms. Kosgei to lie down and claimed to be conducting an investigation, accusing her of fraudulent activities.

Their deception extended to the security guard whom they had earlier instructed to feign illness to ensure Ms. Kosgei would open the door. The situation escalated as the masked robbers entered the children's bedroom, forcing them to lie on the floor despite Ms. Kosgei's pleas. The criminals then locked the children in a separate room and proceeded to ransack the house, demanding money. They stole various valuables, including electronics, personal belongings, and Ms. Kosgei's money.

Furthermore, the robbers compelled Ms. Kosgei to borrow money through mobile phone applications. They then confined her to the main bedroom, demanding a ransom of Sh250,000 for her release. As the ordeal progressed, the attackers reportedly grew increasingly hostile. The horrifying event commenced at 9 pm and continued for a gruelling five hours before the criminals finally departed around 2 am. Ms. Kosgei recounts that the robbers, who addressed each other as "Afande" (Swahili for "officer"), offered no information about their affiliation with any police station.

Throughout the night, they threatened Ms Kosgei with violence if she attempted to raise the alarm or disclose their actions. Following the incident, police officers arrived at the scene, documented the events, and escorted Ms. Kosgei and her family to the Naivasha Police Station for statements. Recognizing the trauma her daughter experienced, Ms. Kosgei made arrangements to transfer her to a school in Kitale for a change of environment and aid in recovery.

This distressing incident is part of a concerning surge in violent robberies plaguing various areas of Naivasha. The incident has drawn the attention of top security officials in Nakuru County, and authorities have apprehended five individuals linked to the crime. The police continue to pursue additional suspects while the investigation continues.