A terrifying roadside robbery in Garissa County has left a 34-year-old man hospitalised after a gang of armed criminals allegedly forced him to swallow a four-inch nail as punishment for resisting nothing and simply falling into their hands.
The shocking incident, which reportedly happened along a road near Madogo town, has sparked concern over the safety of motorists and pedestrians using the route, particularly at night when criminals may take advantage of reduced security patrols.
The victim, identified as Daniel Musyoka, was reportedly travelling home through the Mororo area when his journey took a horrifying turn after he encountered four men dressed in black clothes and wearing face masks.
According to his account, two of the suspects positioned themselves on either side of the road, effectively blocking his way. As he approached the group, one of the attackers reportedly placed a machete on the ground, sending a chilling warning that he was dealing with dangerous men who were not interested in negotiation.
The gang immediately surrounded him, searched his belongings and took everything they could find. Surprisingly, their loot was reportedly limited to KSh 420 in cash and four cigarettes.
However, what happened next was far more disturbing than the robbery itself.
Musyoka claims that after taking his money and cigarettes, the attackers presented him with two horrifying choices: swallow a four-inch nail or face a brutal death.
“They gave me two options: either swallow a nail or they would brutally kill me so that the police would have a difficult time identifying me,” he recounted.
With four masked men surrounding him and weapons at their disposal, Musyoka reportedly had little room to resist. Faced with the terrifying possibility of being killed on the spot, he chose to swallow the nail in the hope that the attackers would spare his life.
After forcing him to comply, the criminals reportedly allowed him to leave.
But surviving the encounter did not mean the danger was over. Musyoka was now carrying a dangerous foreign object inside his body, with no immediate medical assistance available.
Upon reaching home, he reportedly became worried about the possible consequences of swallowing the nail. In a desperate attempt to minimise the damage, he returned to a nearby shop, purchased cooking oil and swallowed two handfuls before drinking even more.
He later went to sleep, hoping that he would somehow escape serious complications.
Interestingly, he woke up the following morning intending to continue with his normal daily activities. However, the seriousness of what had happened eventually pushed him to seek medical attention.
Musyoka initially hesitated to report the incident to the authorities, reportedly because of fear and uncertainty about how to identify attackers whose faces were completely concealed.
He was eventually admitted to Garissa Referral Hospital, where medical professionals have been monitoring his condition and providing treatment as they work towards removing the nail.
Speaking about his condition, the 34-year-old said he had already received medical attention and was feeling better.
“I am currently in hospital and have received treatment. The doctors have told me that I will be discharged once the nail is removed. I have been here since that day,” he explained.
He further reassured those concerned about his health that his condition had stabilised and that he was continuing with treatment.
Meanwhile, questions have emerged over how the gang managed to carry out such a disturbing attack in an area reportedly known to have police patrols.
There are allegations that the criminals were familiar with security patrol patterns and deliberately struck during a period when officers were not immediately present.
The incident has once again raised concerns about the growing boldness of armed criminals and the need for enhanced security along roads connecting communities in the region.
For Musyoka, what began as an ordinary journey home turned into a nightmare that could have ended in death. While the gang reportedly escaped with just KSh 420 and four cigarettes, their victim was left fighting a far more serious battle in hospital.
His ordeal is a chilling reminder that roadside robberies can go beyond theft, leaving victims with life-threatening injuries and psychological trauma long after the attackers have disappeared.
