The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has cautioned taxi operators to be wary of an ongoing trend by criminal syndicates.
According to the DCI, the 'customers' are hiring taxi services for either long distances or trips with several pickup points while guised as cash-rich customers, only to turn violent robbers along the way.
"A member of a well-organized criminal ring identifies a target whom they deem vulnerable to a good deal of money out of the ordered trip, and whose car suits their need," they said.
The 'customer' negotiates with the taxi driver on the charges for the trip, and while on the way communicates with one or more accomplices who will be conveniently waiting along the route.
With promises of an extra inconvenience fee for the stop, the driver goes ahead to let onboard new passengers.
DCI noted that on some occasions, the accomplices lie in wait at the drop-off point.
"Usually, the route or destinations picked will have secluded areas, where the gangs turn against the drivers, rob them of their vehicles, and at times murder them in cold blood," DCI said.
DCI gave an incident of the latest scenarios reported at Kikopey Police Post within Gilgil, Nakuru County on January 14 where a 42-year-old male taxi operator in Nairobi CBD was hired by a customer to drive him to Nakuru using his motor vehicle.
Once in Naivasha, the customer requested that they pick up his two friends in the Karagita area before setting off towards Nakuru.
After a short moment into the final stretch of the journey, the passengers turned against the male driver before robbing him of his vehicle and dumped him at Diatomite area in Gilgil.
"On receiving the report, a team of detectives from DCI headquarters was deployed to launch a manhunt for the suspects, two of whom were traced to Bungoma County," DCI said.
The two were arrested and the vehicle was recovered.
DCI said that they had seven sim cards, five national ID cards and two driving licences.
"Their case is ongoing at the Chief Magistrate's Court in Naivasha as pursuit for other accomplices continue."
DCI encourages operators to be vigilant and report any suspicion of danger to the police through the various police hotlines.
