The following content is taken from our Weekly Kenya Security Information Service (SIS) Report. Much of the advice provided, is also relevant to those who do not live in Kenya. The Castor Vali Kenya Weekly SIS reports provide a look back over events of the past week, a view of the coming week and our tailored advice based on these events.
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Overview
Crime has increased, as incomes have reduced. It is prudent to continually examine your security arrangements and your behaviour to ensure that you are as prepared and protected as possible. The following advice is specifically about security. See our COVID-19 Information Service for advice on staying healthy in this COVID-19 environment.
Out of the Home
If you are leaving home for essential work or to buy essential provisions, think about these points:
- Don’t break the curfew. Tell yourself that it starts at 2000, not 2100 – this may help you from being caught out by traffic, bad weather or an emergency.
- You are vulnerable when leaving and arriving at your property. The curfew hours have an hour of darkness at the start and end but don’t travel in dark hours unless it’s an emergency. Don’t leave the vehicle to open your gate without taking the keys and locking the doors. Try and have a good look around as you arrive at the gate and before leaving the vehicle if you have to open the gate. Use a torch in the dawn and dusk, even if you have good lighting at the gate. This will demonstrate to anyone watching that you are security aware. If you have a guard, calling ahead so that he or she can do this surveillance for you, and open the gate as you arrive, is good practice. Ensure that your guard has a torch, ideally a rechargeable one.
- Never travel in a car without all the doors locked and the windows up. If you open the windows, do not leave enough space for a criminal to get their hand through the gap.
- Be security-aware when leaving shopping malls and supermarkets. Groceries could become much sought after and a car full of shopping may become an increasingly attractive target. For this reason, consider who is best placed to make shopping trips and who may be less vulnerable to a robbery in your family or household.
- Vehicles may become more vulnerable to attack or carjacking. Be cautious in slow moving traffic and be very cautious if something forces you to stop the vehicle, such as an unexpected obstruction or a person(s). Your first instinct should be to drive away from the obstruction. If that isn’t possible, it is best not to open a window or door; instead, you should telephone for help. Many security risk management companies, including Castor Vali, offer tracking applications for smartphones with panic buttons, linked to Operations staff who can summon appropriate help quickly.
- Avoid walking on roads if it is possible, especially if you are carrying a bag or shopping. If you are confronted by a robber, expect them to threaten violence. They will likely not use violence if you comply and hand over what they want. Do not become aggressive – remember that many of us can inadvertently become aggressive through fear – try and be controlled. Don’t carry or wear anything that you cannot afford to lose.
Future editions of this blog will cover: Out of the Home and Online. To ensure you don’t miss out on this valuable advice sign up to our SIS free trial here.