Nairobi: Grandma Stranded in Ruai After Her Phone Was Stolen in CBD While Visiting Brother

• A 70-year-old woman is stranded in Ruai after her phone was stolen in Nairobi CBD while visiting her brother
• Good Samaritans helped her reach Ruai, but she couldn't trace her brother’s home as the area had changed
• She is currently sleeping at the Ruai Police Station as she awaits her family members to pick her up
• Meanwhile, the public is urged to help authorities locate her family

Nairobi – A 70-year-old woman is stranded after her phone was stolen in the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD).

The elderly woman identified as Lucy Wanjiku Wambugu had travelled to the city to visit her brother, Mwangi Wambugu, who lives in Ruai, but she is now unable to contact him.

How did Grandma Wanjiku lose phone?

Good Samaritan Nancy Mburu told TUKO.co.ke that that the grandma's phone was snatched in the CBD, cutting off her only means of communication and navigation.

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She was assisted by well-wishers who boarded her onto a matatu heading to Ruai, hoping that she would find directions once she alighted.

However, upon arrival in Ruai, the woman realised the area had changed significantly since her last visit, leaving her disoriented.

She approached Nancy at her workplace near the Ruai Quickmart stage for assistance in finding her way to her brother’s place.

“She gave a very good description of her brother’s home, and the boda boda riders tried to trace the landmarks she mentioned,” Nancy added.

Where is Grandma Wanjiku now?

They offered her food and a drink before embarking on a search mission which, unfortunately, did not bear fruit.

Nancy and her colleagues then took her to the Ruai Police Station, where an OB number, 80/28/5/2025, was issued.

Initially, Nancy was asked to host the elderly woman, but police later decided it would be safer to keep her at the station overnight due to her age.

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“I bought her a mattress, and now she is sleeping in the lost kids' room at the Ruai Police Station. I’m heading there now to take her some breakfast,” Nancy stated.

How to contact Grandma Wanjiku

Members of the public who may recognise the woman or know her brother, Mwangi Wambugu, are urged to reach out immediately.

The lost woman's ID shows she was born in Nyeri Central in January 1955, but the document was issued at Kiamaina.

Anyone with helpful information is asked to call 0706225055.

Kenyans react to incident

This incident has sparked a myriad of reactions on social media, with many recalling the first time they realised Nairobi is brutal when they first visited.

Many said having a phone snatched while visiting the city is a baptism by fire incident that shows one the cruelty of the city. Others described it as a must-undergo ritual and a welcome to the city.

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A section of other Kenyans appreciated the granny's attitude despite what she had gone through, while others noted that notorious phone-snatchers had gone too far by robbing an elderly woman.

Other Kenyans advised against having senior citizens visit the city on their own, insisting they need a younger family member to help them around.

Here are some of the comments:

Stanslous Waswa

"In Nairobi, everyone is a suspect. When you land in Nairobi, develop some characteristics of being a suspect, too. No one will move closer to you."

Arina Petrooz said:

"This is what we call a very warm welcome to Nairobi. Sorry, granny."

Tom Moreri

"Pole, she is smiling because she can't believe this can happen to an old woman like her. Asante sana, good Samaritan."

Vincent Kithome said:

"And she looks exceptionally happy despite her current predicament."

Missing Dagoretti man found safe after weeklong search

In a story with a happy ending, the family of Alex Njoroge Kabiti sighed with relief when the Dagoretti businessman returned home after disappearing for nearly a week.

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The father of one went missing after dropping his expectant wife at Kikuyu Hospital, leading to a frantic search.

Relatives found it difficult to contact him as he left his phone behind.

Details indicate that Alex went straight to bed upon his return but did not divulge details of his whereabouts for the six days he had been missing.

Racheal Nyaguthie, HoD Human Interest, contributed to this article, adding reactions.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.

Source: TUKO.co.ke