Nairoberry as it is fondly called, is a city full of life and interesting people. Among them are those people who keep us on our toes include thieves. They make us extra careful when trodding through the streets of Nairobi, holding our belongings dearly and wanting to get to our destination in peace.

We have heard about blonde humans being swindled off their money once they alight from the bus after a long journey from upcountry. Some have been told to give out money so that it can multiply once it has been prayed for.

Here are some of the thieves that are terrorizing people in the streets of Nairobi in broad daylight, day in day out.

1. Mobile snatching

This is the most common kind of vice in the CBD. It usually happens when you are least aware. Almost every Nairobi resident knows that texting or making calls with the matatu window open is a no-no. A friend lost her expensive Samsung phone when she wast texting me while walking in town. We were supposed to meet the next day. Interestingly, she blamed me for her loss and never talked to me again!

2. Matatu boarder

These kinds of thieves pretend to be matatu conductors and seat at the entrance of the vehicle. When someone is alighting, they usually dip their hands in the pockets of the unsuspecting passenger, making away with wallets and other possessions.

3. Frame Snatcher

This actually happened to my colleague Uncle Chim. His expensive shades were jerked by a woman who happened to be his best friend's companion at a popular hangout joint in Nairobi! The lady also made away with a jacket after drinking with the bunch, of course. So, beware of the strange women you let sit at your table!

4. The peddler

These ones will try stop you in town, offering to sell you an expensive phone! I remember one day when I was living with my aunt in Karen just after completing my high school studies, I was leaving town from my ICDL classes. As I walked towards Kencom to board a bus in the evening, a lad came my way and stopped me just outside Afya Center. He offered to sell me a Nokia X2-01 phone at a cheap price of 3K. Knowing that the phone was expensive and trendy - at least at the time - I hastily offered him my kabambe phone and an extra 1K so that he could give me the phone. I had 3K in my pocket and wouldn't have wanted to give out the whole amount of money. An hour later - after being escorted to bus by the guy - I found out that it was a dummy phone filled with one shilling coins! I fell sick for 3 days.

5. The threat

These ones threaten to smear your face with feces if you do not give them money. You then have to weigh the options of stinking like a skunk in matatu or letting go of your hard-earned money. I'd love to offer you tips on how to avoid getting into this kind of sh*t in my next post: The complete dummy's guide to avoiding being robbed in Nairobi CBD. Keep it .