Nairobi Pickpockets’ Secrets: Reformed Thief Lists 5 Tricks They Used To Steal From Kenyans

• Moha, a young man who was a notorious pickpocket in Nairobi, offered a glimpse into how they committed crimes
• The diehard Manchester United supporter worked as a tout earning KSh 1,000 daily before making KSh 40,000 on his first day as a pickpocket
• Moha shared some of the tactics pickpockets use, including paying police officers to avoid getting arrested

A reformed Nairobi pickpocket has shared some tactics they used to steal from unsuspecting Kenyans.

Moha, who worked as a matatu tout before becoming a pickpocket, noted that crime does not pay while revealing some trade secrets.

1. How Nairobi pickpockets work with women of the night

According to Moha, they often collaborated with women of the night to steal from clients.

“Whenever they found gullible clients, they would call us, and we would rob them.”

They would meet later and share the spoils.

2. Bribing cops regularly

Moha noted that there was no way he could have operated in the CBD without the involvement of police officers.

“Whenever I met a cop, I had to give them KSh 500 even if it meant borrowing the money,” he said.

Moha admitted that members of the public arrested him numerous times and took him to the police station, but he was released soon after because of the bribes.

3. How pickpockets target motorists

The Korogocho-born young man said motorists were unsafe from them, despite rolling up their windows.

“We would adjust the side mirror, forcing the motorist to roll down the window and readjust it.”

Moha then jumped on the opportunity to steal valuables in the car.

4. Pickpockets target matatu passengers

They similarly targeted Nairobi residents riding in matatus.

“I would slide the window and grab the phone.

I would then take off and disappear in traffic.”

5. How Nairobi pickpockets work in gangs

Moha admitted that he did not commit the crimes alone, as he worked with a gang of up to five people.

“Some gang members would walk behind a victim and trip them to stop them from pursuing me when I snatched a phone.”

The other members would distract the victim as Moha made away with the loot.

How much do Nairobipickpocketss make?

Moha, who was twice beaten by a mob, said he made KSh 40,000 on the first day after stealing an expensive phone.

He narrated how he made KSh 210,000 in one day.

However, he noted that crime money was not beneficial as it would be spent in days.