Man Loses Sh999,000 to Armed Robbers Dressed as Police Officers in Parklands

Nairobi, Crime, Breaking News

A Nairobi businessman is counting losses after being robbed of Sh999,000 in broad daylight by a gang impersonating police officers in the upmarket Parklands area on Saturday afternoon.

The incident, which occurred around 2:00 PM, has once again spotlighted the disturbing trend of bank customers being trailed and robbed shortly after withdrawing large sums of money.

According to police reports, the victim had just withdrawn nearly a million shillings from a bank on First Avenue in Parklands. After placing the cash—stashed in an envelope—under the co-driver’s seat, he exited the bank’s basement parking and began driving home.

But just a few minutes into his journey, he was intercepted at a junction by a salon car. The vehicle blocked his path, and five men inside stared him down before two suspects, one dressed in a full police uniform and armed with a pistol, jumped out and confronted him.

The assailants reportedly hit the businessman on the head, seized his car keys, and quickly retrieved the envelope containing the cash. Within moments, they jumped back into their getaway car and sped off towards Limuru Road, leaving the victim stranded.

The victim promptly reported the incident at a nearby police station. Authorities have launched an investigation and are reviewing CCTV footage from the bank and surrounding areas to trace the suspects.

Parklands Police believe the gang may have had inside help from rogue bank staff, who tipped them off about the withdrawal

“This method of operation is not new to us. There have been several similar cases in recent months. The common link is that the victims are tailed immediately after leaving the bank, suggesting possible collusion between robbers and bank insiders,” said a senior police officer familiar with the case.

This is not an isolated incident. A disturbing pattern has emerged over the past year involving criminals who target people withdrawing large sums of money from banks across Nairobi and its environs.

Last month, a man was robbed of Sh7 million moments after leaving a bank in Nairobi CBD.
In February, a woman lost Sh3.6 million to armed men outside a Lungalunga Road petrol station, just after withdrawing it from a bank.
In January, a businessman in Kitengela was robbed of Sh1.8 million. His vehicle was broken into at a hotel along Namanga Road, shortly after he made the withdrawal.

These cases point to a well-organized network of criminals who exploit inside information, often provided by complicit banking staff.

Some victims have even been abducted, tied up, and dumped in remote locations after being robbed of their money.

Police say they are currently recording up to one robbery of this nature every week, and they are urging the public to take precautionary measures.

“If you’re planning to withdraw or transport large amounts of cash, it’s advisable to request for police escort. We’re more than willing to help,” stated a senior officer.

Investigations by law enforcement agencies indicate that some gangs lurk around banking halls, watching for potential targets or liaising with dishonest staff to plan attacks.

The National Police Service is reportedly increasing surveillance around banks, and financial institutions are being asked to enhance internal monitoring, especially regarding transactions involving large sums of money.

If you plan to handle large cash withdrawals, authorities recommend:

Requesting a plainclothes police escort when withdrawing significant amounts.
Avoiding predictable routines, such as withdrawing money at the same time or location repeatedly.
Being discreet about the amount of money being handled—do not count money in public areas.
Using secure and electronic transfers instead of carrying cash, whenever possible.
Reporting suspicious individuals seen lingering in banking areas to security or police.

As police intensify their investigations into this latest robbery, they hope improved vigilance by banks and individuals alike will help stem this disturbing wave of violent cash heists targeting unsuspecting Kenyans.