NAIROBI, Kenya — Closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage has captured the terrifying moment two armed robbers stormed a salon in Nairobi’s Saika area, along Kangundo Road robbing customers and staff during a brazen daylight attack that has reignited concerns over rising insecurity in the capital.
The robbery, which occurred on Saturday, July 25, lasted less than a minute but left customers visibly shaken as the gunmen calmly walked into the salon, threatened those inside with firearms and made away with valuables before fleeing.
Footage circulating widely on social media shows several women either receiving hair services or waiting inside the salon when two men entered the premises. One of the suspects, dressed in a dark top and cap, initially greeted the occupants, prompting casual responses before suddenly pulling out a pistol from his jacket pocket.
“How are you all? Everybody should remain quiet and seated,” one of the suspects is heard ordering in Kiswahili as panic immediately gripped the room.
His accomplice, who wore a motorcycle helmet, positioned himself near the entrance, effectively blocking any escape route while the pair systematically collected mobile phones and other personal belongings from customers and employees.
The approximately 35-second footage shows terrified victims complying with the robbers’ demands, while one woman managed to dash out of the salon moments after the attack began. Others remained inside, ducking for cover or surrendering their belongings as the suspects moved from one victim to another.
After gathering the stolen items, the gunmen calmly exited the premises and fled before any security response could be mounted. Once the robbers left, the women, still in shock, locked themselves inside the salon while screaming for help from passers-by.
The incident has sparked widespread debate online, with many Kenyans expressing alarm over what they described as a growing trend of armed robberies targeting businesses in broad daylight.
Some social media users questioned how the attackers were able to operate so confidently while armed, while others raised concerns over the psychological trauma such incidents leave on victims even when no physical injuries are reported.
Others urged business owners, particularly salons and small enterprises, to strengthen security measures by limiting walk-in customers, adopting appointment-based services and keeping entrances secured during business hours.
The robbery comes just weeks after another high-profile armed attack at Chaiiwali Restaurant along General Mathenge Road in Nairobi’s Westlands area on July 4.
In that incident, armed robbers stormed the restaurant, robbed patrons of mobile phones and other valuables, and fired shots into the air before escaping on motorcycles.
Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) later arrested three suspects during an intelligence-led operation in Githurai, Kiambu County, on July 20.
Police recovered two pistols and ammunition believed to have been used in a series of robberies across Nairobi and neighbouring areas, with preliminary investigations linking the suspects to the Westlands restaurant attack.
Authorities also reported that one suspect connected to the Chaiiwali robbery was later fatally shot during a police operation in Joska, where officers recovered a firearm previously issued to a Court of Appeal judge. Investigators, however, continue to pursue a female suspect who escaped during the Githurai operation.