NAIROBI, Kenya — Dashcam footage circulating online has captured the moment thieves removed a vehicle’s front grille within seconds while traffic was at a standstill along Parklands Road in Nairobi.
The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday at about 3:15 pm near the University of Nairobi School of Law along the busy stretch connecting Parklands Road to Limuru Road.
According to the motorist who shared the footage, three men approached the vehicle while it was trapped in traffic before swiftly detaching and fleeing with the front grille.
The video, which has since sparked concern among motorists online, appears to show the suspects operating in a coordinated manner and targeting vehicles immobilised in congestion.
Witnesses and social media users said the theft was executed within seconds, raising fears over increasing cases of opportunistic vandalism and theft targeting motorists in Nairobi’s traffic jams.
The footage has triggered renewed debate about urban insecurity and petty crime along major roads in the capital, especially during peak traffic hours when vehicles remain stationary for extended periods.
Several motorists online claimed similar incidents have previously been reported in parts of Nairobi, with thieves allegedly targeting side mirrors, headlights, number plates, and vehicle emblems for resale in the black market for spare parts.
The latest incident comes amid broader concerns over rising street crime in parts of Nairobi, where motorists and pedestrians have increasingly turned to dashboard cameras and CCTV footage to document criminal activity.
Authorities have previously urged motorists to remain vigilant in high-traffic areas and report suspicious activity to nearby police stations or emergency response units.
The viral footage has also reignited calls for increased surveillance, improved traffic policing, and deployment of security patrols along Nairobi’s congestion-prone roads to deter organised theft targeting motorists.
