Gaming machine traders in Kenol town, Murang’a South, have decried rampant break-ins.
They said they have continually fallen victim to theft. Thieves take advantage of pounding rains to break into their shops and steal PlayStation devices.
Last week during a downpour, Joseph Wachira lost PlayStation machines worth over Sh100,000. His metallic door was shattered.
Wachira opened the gaming shop last year but has had to close up shop as it became unsustainable.
"They stole all my monitors and the appliances they could find before fleeing into the rainy night,” Wachira said, noting that he reported the matter to Makuyu police station.
In another incident, Thuo Njogu’s store was vandalised on a rainy night, occasioning him losses of up to Sh650,000. This was the second time his shop was raided.
Thuo said other PlayStation outlets have suffered a similar fate in the past year. He accused the police of laxity.
By last year, the rapidly growing town had six gaming shops, all of which have been raided.
“Since I came to this town three years ago, six PlayStation outlets that were operating have been closed down because of theft,” Thuo said.
Despite lodging several complaints with the police, no action had been taken, he lamented.
Subcounty police commander Alexander Shikondi said they would intensify patrols, especially when it is raining.
“We have organised patrols both at daytime and during the night to guard locals’ businesses,” Shikondi said.
Residents say a ring has a ready market for the machines, hence the rise in theft. They appealed to the police to conduct thorough investigations and apprehend the culprits.
The busy town lies along the Thika-Sagana highway and has had an influx of people, especially with the construction of the Sh14 billion Kenol-Sagana-Marua dual carriageway.
