From Wigs to glasses: Bizarre new Nairobi CBD theft trend leaves residents panicking

A Kenyan woman has raised concern over alleged cases of thieves snatching spectacles from pedestrians in Nairobi’s Central Business District, sparking fresh reactions online.

The concern comes just as the alleged wig-snatching saga has barely cooled down.

For days, social media has been buzzing with warnings about alleged wig-snatching incidents in Nairobi CBD, with women urging fellow wig wearers to stay alert while walking through the city.

And just when it seemed the conversation was firmly focused on keeping one’s hairstyle intact, glasses have apparently entered the chat.

The woman’s concern, shared on X @eun_ieythira, alleges that thieves are now targeting people wearing spectacles.

“I’d understand why wigs are getting stolen in CBD, medicated glasses jameni?? Vipofu tutolewe kwa hio hesabu,” she wrote.

Her post quickly attracted reactions from other users, with some sharing what appeared to be personal experiences involving stolen spectacles, while others joked about the possibility of losing their glasses.

I’d understand why wigs are getting stolen in CBD,medicated glasses jameni??vipofu tutolewe kwa hizo hesabu ??

— Waithira ? (@eun_ieythira) September 3, 2026

For instance, X user @JoeyBiy wrote: “12 years ago I was robbed my glasses hapo Githurai at night while I was in a matatu….ilibidi nishikwe mkono na stranger hadi home.”

Another user, @OchieAndrew316, claimed to have heard that medicated glasses have a market, writing:

 “I heard Eastlands dude say medicated glasses are cold ‘Dingolo’ & they have a very huge market especially for frame & shit.”

Meanwhile, @endo-ng20909 appeared to express concern over the possibility of losing her glasses, writing:
 
“New fear unlocked, because if they steal mine I will remain on that spot till someone picks me cz I see x zero without my glasses…”

The reactions have added another saga to Nairobi’s increasingly unusual street-theft conversation.

For wig wearers, the recent reports have already turned an ordinary stroll through the CBD into something of a security exercise.
 
Now, if the latest claim is anything to go by, even people whose main concern is simply seeing where they are going may have another reason to stay alert.

Phones have long been considered tempting targets for thieves.