Nairobi County has teamed up with the National Police Service in a joint operation to root out criminals behind a growing wave of violent muggings in the Central Business District (CBD). The move follows a surge of social media outcry and alarming testimonies from victims who reported being attacked with a substance known as “Devil’s Breath.”
Chief Officer for Environment Geoffrey Mosiria confirmed the crackdown on Wednesday, September 3, warning that organised gangs have been disguising themselves as hustlers and even posing as content creators before targeting civilians later in the evening. “They act harmless during the day, but by around 5:00 pm, they begin robbing unsuspecting people,” he said.
Some incidents, he noted, have occurred in broad daylight, with up to a dozen attackers mugging one victim. Reports indicate the criminals often use scopolamine, a potent compound derived from plants like Brugmansia and Datura. While used medically in small doses, in larger amounts the drug causes confusion, disorientation, and makes victims vulnerable to robbery. Criminals typically administer it by blowing the powder into a victim’s face, or through contaminated items like paper or handshakes.
Mosiria further raised concern about street families allegedly colluding with illegal waste disposers to rob residents, sometimes even using human waste to extort money. He announced plans to flush out street families from CBD backstreets while increasing police presence to deter attackers.
Earlier in the week, former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko also raised alarm after sharing a woman’s chilling account of how she narrowly escaped a gang of armed muggers in broad daylight.
