CCTV Captures Armed Robbery at Westlands Café as Gunmen Raid Customers in Under a Minute

What began as a typical Saturday night in Westlands quickly descended into chaos after two armed robbers stormed a popular café, terrifying customers and making away with valuables in a raid that lasted less than a minute.

CCTV footage from Chaiiwali Café on General Mathenge Road captured the dramatic incident, showing two masked gunmen carrying out the robbery with speed and precision.

Gunmen strike at 10:34 p.m.

According to the footage, the attack unfolded at exactly 10:34 p.m. when two motorcycles pulled up outside the restaurant carrying the armed suspects.

The masked men entered the café moments later, with one of them immediately cocking his pistol before approaching a table on the right side where six customers were seated.

Well-planned operation

Preliminary reports indicate the suspects had surveyed the area before launching the attack. Witnesses say the two had ridden past the café once before turning back moments later to carry out the robbery.

As one gunman ordered customers on the right side to surrender their belongings, his accomplice simultaneously targeted diners seated on the left.

The operation was completed in under 40 seconds, during which the suspects reportedly stole six iPhones, one Samsung phone and a laptop before making their escape.

Shot fired during escape

The situation escalated as the robbers fled the scene.

As they ran back toward the waiting motorcycles, one of the suspects, who was wearing a white jacket, fired a shot inside the restaurant. A security guard attempted to intervene, but the gunman allegedly fired another shot at the ground, forcing him to retreat.

The two suspects then jumped onto the motorcycles and sped away.

Detectives from Gigiri Police Station later responded to the scene and recovered a spent cartridge outside the café as investigations into the robbery began.

Rising security concerns in Westlands

The latest incident has heightened concerns over a growing wave of armed robberies in the Westlands area involving criminals using motorcycles.

Just a month earlier, another restaurant, Nazir Pan House, was reportedly targeted by five men riding on two motorcycles. During that robbery, the suspects are said to have stolen two mobile phones valued at KSh165,000.

The recurring attacks have raised fears among residents and business owners, who say it has become increasingly difficult to distinguish genuine boda boda riders and ride-hailing operators from criminals using motorcycles to commit offences.

One resident noted that the trend has created widespread anxiety, saying the inability to tell legitimate riders apart from suspects has left many people feeling unsafe in the area.