Residents of an estate in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County, are living in fear after CCTV cameras captured a man allegedly sneaking into the compound and stealing clothes from hanging lines in the middle of the day.…....
The incident, which has since sparked conversation online, reportedly happened while most tenants were away from home. Footage from the estate shows the suspect casually walking through the gate before slowly surveying the compound as if checking whether anyone was watching.
Dressed in grey sweatpants and a dark jumper, the man appeared calm and familiar with the area. He moved from one clothesline to another before stopping briefly at one section, where he carefully picked a piece of clothing and quietly walked away with it.
According to locals, this was not an isolated case. Residents claim the suspect has been terrorising people in the Mwisho wa Lami area by repeatedly stealing clothes left outside to dry. Some allege the stolen items later appear during local market days in Iten, where unsuspecting buyers purchase them at throwaway prices.
The boldness of the theft has left many shocked, especially because it happened in broad daylight without fear of being noticed. Some residents are now calling for tighter security measures and increased police patrols within the neighbourhood.
The footage also triggered mixed reactions online, with some Kenyans joking about the possibility of unknowingly buying stolen clothes at markets. Others sympathised with tenants who have repeatedly lost personal belongings under mysterious circumstances.
Despite the humour online, locals say the situation has become frustrating, with many now forced to dry clothes indoors or closely monitor their compounds during the day.
Residents hope the viral CCTV footage will help authorities identify and arrest the suspect before more households fall victim.
