They act with precision and their budding modus operandi has sent shockwaves over a new trend thugs are adopting now targeting the rich and mighty living in the most guarded posh estates within the capital.
Harish Patel, Managing Director of Kenya Horticultural Exporters (KHE) is the latest victim of brazen morning break-in at his Muthaiga residence along Tchui Road over the weekend where he lost Sh20million and jewelry of unknown value.
Preliminary police findings indicate the Sunday morning incident occurred around 6.30am a few meters from the Muthaiga Golf Club and neighbouring residences of notable figures like former President Mwai Kibaki and official residence of British High Commissioner to Kenya among others.
Three runaway gangsters, two reportedly armed with pistols scaled the perimeter wall of the breached residence after cutting electric fence.
Interestingly, the thugs did not use force despite commandeering the family members at gunpoint in what detectives believe to have been a well premeditated raid.
Police sources are now pursuing possible inside job or collusion with parties well versed with the architectural plan of the house.
“No doubt this was a well-planned raid.” A senior detective intimated.
The thugs did not fire even a single shot.
They are said to have seized the gardener and watchman, tied them with sisal ropes before gaining entry to the house.
Consequently, they ordered the family members including the house help to surrender the cash and jewelries.
However, no arrest has been made so far.
This is the latest case of a house break-in and robbery of colossal amount of money kept in cash in a private residence.
To tie loose ends, investigators are keen to establish in the money was kept in the house for some time or was ferried in order to establish circumstantial evidence if those involved had prior knowledge of the same.
In December last year, armed thugs staged a similar raid at the residence of businessman Manu Chandaria in Muthaiga and made away with over Sh700,000 in cash and jewelry worth over Sh600,000.
According to the firm official website, Harish started KHE a small grocery shop in Nairobi by exporting about 200 kilograms a day and has grown into a fine establishment currently exporting 22 tonnes a day.
KHE uses IAG Cargo ships as their carriers to ferry 14 tonnes of the fresh produce grown each day.
KHE has a 3,000-acre farm growing and exporting more than 20 types of legumes and other vegetables and supplies mange tout, sugar snaps, runner beans and tender stem broccoli to supermarkets across Europe.
