Gangs terrorise Thogoto residents as one killed, several injured

In a span of days, a 30-year-old man was found murdered by the roadside, a university student was violently attacked and robbed, and a lecturer narrowly survived a stabbing incident. The wave of insecurity has forced the University of Nairobi Kikuyu campus to suspend in-person classes and shift to online learning.

Sharon Jemutai, a student at the campus, is recovering at her home in Syokimau after she was attacked at night by unknown assailants in Thogoto. She was robbed of her phone and left with serious injuries, underscoring the growing danger in the area.

Students say frustration is mounting as insecurity persists.

“As a student fraternity, we are frustrated. We are paying rent in this region and we are even paying taxes,” said Don Ochieng, a UoN student.

Lecturers have also not been spared. One was recently stabbed and is currently hospitalised, an incident that further pushed the university administration to move learning online.

“Our innocent lecturer has been stabbed. He is in hospital fighting for his life, yet leaders have done little to address the situation,” said Zinnorag Zainab, President of the UoN Kikuyu Campus Students Association.

Meanwhile, the family of 30-year-old Gustavo Victor Karani is mourning his death after he was brutally killed near Thogoto Hospital. He was laid to rest on Wednesday.

According to his mother, Pamela Lakena, Karani had earlier been involved in a dispute over a power bank before agreeing to escort individuals to his home and later to a police station. He never made it.

“He was beaten severely. We only received the news in the morning, and when we went to check, we found it was him,” she said.

Witnesses say he was last seen leaving a bar late at night, reportedly heading towards Thogoto Police Station, a short distance away.

Residents now accuse security agencies of inaction, claiming that repeated reports have not yielded meaningful intervention.

“When we report at the station, officers appear reluctant to act. Insecurity has become rampant. Attackers use machetes, knives, clubs, and motorbikes. They strike quickly, stab victims, rob them, and escape,” said resident Hosea Maina Mutahi.

The situation has sparked growing concern among residents and students, who are now calling for urgent security operations to restore order and safety in the area.