Several cases of burglary were reported in Mombasa and Nairobi this week.
In most cases, thugs made their way into homes and went away with household items such as electronics, jewellery, gadgets and other items.
The incidences happened in apartments, which ordinarily are meant to be safe and secure with CCTV on watch and neighbours on the look.
It would appear petty criminals have become sophisticated and are able to sneak their way in without being noticed.
In one incident in Nairobi near Wilson Airport, unknown burglars made their way into a first-floor apartment and gained entry somehow without using force.
There were no marks of forceful entry, indicating that the suspects had ways of easily opening the locks and going inside the house.
While inside, they ransacked the rooms in search of valuables.
They made away with gold worth over Sh200,000 and hard cash of over Sh300,000. They also made away with perfumes and ate food from the fridge.
In Mombasa, suspected burglars accessed an apartment on the third floor of a building in Ganjoni by forcing the locks open.
They broke the door frame and locks to gain entry to the house.
While inside, they went through all the rooms and kitchen and threw clothes and papers all over the house.
Apart from hard cash, the burglars also made away with electronic gadgets, including a play station. They then left with their loot leaving the doors open and unattended.
These are two of several other burglaries that were reported this week.
In both incidents, the occupants were not in the house.
While the incidents were reported to the area police stations, investigations are ongoing and so far, it has not been confirmed who exactly is behind the robbery.
What is clear is that it has left many worried and concerned about the safety of their homes and families.
Locals are wondering whether their houses are safe and if police, who are charged with the responsibility of taking care of properties, are doing their job.
Police have a duty to protect life and property.
They are also charged with the responsibility of investigations to arrest wrongdoers and make them face the law.
When such incidences happen and police are not able to stop the suspects or follow up and arrest them, then they instil fear and anxiety amongst the populace.
Particularly in urban centres where security is supposed to have been beefed up, such incidences portend negatively to the police. It shows that they are failing in their duty to serve and protect.
However, it is worth remembering that residents should also take the necessary steps to protect themselves and their property.
Blaming security officers perennially is not encouraged.
Families must ensure when they leave, the home they secure their property and get good enough locks that will keep out unwanted intruders.
Where possible, CCTV should be installed to track movements in and around the home.
For those who can afford, hiring guards to watch the house is an added advantage.
Article 29 of the Constitution guarantees every person the right to security.
Citizens play their role by paying taxes and abiding by the laws of the land. After paying taxes, citizens must in return get their rights including safety and security.
When reports of burglary are reported in homes, it is obviously clear that police must do better to rein in petty crimes.
Failure to which may lead the people to take the law into their own hands and engage in illegal actions such as mob justice.
If petty crime is not handled and nipped in its bud, it will graduate to serious crime.
As the country approaches a hotly contested general election, security is of paramount importance and should be emphasised.
In urban centres, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu and Nakuru, all measures must be taken to avert possible chaos. This can only be assured if from now, petty crimes are stopped.
Allowing them to go unchallenged will bolden criminals who will end up causing more harm in the days to come.
