I saw the thieves. They saw me. How was I supposed to know?
@mildredtabitha (16422)
Nairobi, Kenya
March 25, 2025 11:22pm CST
Three weeks ago I came straight to the house after the first service. I didn't stay for both of the services like I normally do because of the work waiting for me.
I arrived and opened the door but I saw two young men carrying plenty old iron sheets. They saw me and they threw them over the fence to the other side. I got in the house, removed my shoes then looked outside the door and I saw the face of one of them. He also looked and saw me looking at him. All my neighbors were not around. So they walked past my house and outside our gate. To be sincere, I didn't think they were stealing. I kept wondering where they were coming from.
After they left, I inspected the compound and everything was okay. So I forgot about this incident. Last week I'm out in the evening going to buy chips. I stand and innocently look around to spot the lady who was selling it. But my face gazes at this same man I had seen. He was sitting leaning on a wall and he turned and looked at me. He quickly stood up in fear and went and sat next to a young man selling items. But I was too busy to pay attention to him. I bought the chips and went back home.
Two days ago, some lady comes in our compound complaining that someone has been stealing iron sheets in the next compound which is opposite ours. Immediately I remembered what I saw three weeks ago. But I didn't say a word since I didn't have any evidence to prove what I saw.
So yesterday they were busy building and mending the path that was connecting their compound to ours so that no one can pass. It is the same path I saw the young men coming from when they were carrying the iron sheets before exiting our gate.
The only thing that makes me sure that this young men were stealing, is because the one I saw always looks away quickly or hides his face everytime I see him. It has happened three different times now especially when I have gone to buy something at the open air market that is around 10 minutes from where I currently live.
Now I'm wondering, if I bring up what I saw and point him out, will that even help? What I witnessed happened three weeks ago.The complain happened two days ago. I'm sure this events relate to each other but I don't want anything to do with it.
The photo is of the rice I ate yesterday lunch and will probably eat again today lunch because of how delicious it is.
9 people like this
6 responses
@arunima25 (89418)
• Bangalore, India
26 Mar
Hmm... a tricky situation. You have a strong feeling but no evidence. Hiding it might not be good but then accusations without evidence mean nothing. Better to talk to someone in the neighborhood whom you can trust casually..might be some others also had similar experiences. Then it would build up to the evidence.
4 people like this
@snowy22315 (186923)
• United States
26 Mar
Not really sure what you would do rice dish looks good
2 people like this
@mildredtabitha (16422)
• Nairobi, Kenya
27 Mar
@snowy22315 The rice has plenty tomatoes in it and beef soup. Is healthier than it looks . Thank you
2 people like this
@mildredtabitha (16422)
• Nairobi, Kenya
27 Mar
@arunima25
I would have shared with my neighbor but she will end up telling everyone who visits her. I would prefer not to say anything for now.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (144571)
• United States
26 Mar
Very interesting.... I think I'd follow the suggestions you've already received from @arumina25 and @rakski. It sounds like good advice to me and might lead to something good coming from your observation.
Good luck with this situation...
3 people like this
@DaddyEvil (144571)
• United States
27 Mar
@mildredtabitha In that case, the thief already knows you recognize him so you might as well tell someone. You won't be in any more danger than you already are.
1 person likes this
@mildredtabitha (16422)
• Nairobi, Kenya
28 Mar
@DaddyEvil 
why is your response making me smile. You are right. I didn't think like that. 
let me see who I will tell. Maybe I should tell our caretaker but he is currently not in the city. So when he comes back next week I will tell him. Only him can keep quiet about it and not announce.
why is your response making me smile. You are right. I didn't think like that. let me see who I will tell. Maybe I should tell our caretaker but he is currently not in the city. So when he comes back next week I will tell him. Only him can keep quiet about it and not announce.1 person likes this
@mildredtabitha (16422)
• Nairobi, Kenya
27 Mar
Thank you.
I should follow their advice too. I agree. But It's very risky to do so while I'm still staying here. That's like putting my life in danger too.
The people here always take it in their hands to punish thieves. I might look like a hero for sharing this information but I'll be risking my life too when those who relate to the thief know it is me who exposed him. It's so complicated.
1 person likes this
@jobelbojel (36623)
• Philippines
26 Mar
I would suggest you go and checked with your neighbors, asked they have noticed something weird lately.
1 person likes this
@mildredtabitha (16422)
• Nairobi, Kenya
27 Mar
In fact they haven't. All my neighbors are very busy people. They leave early morning and return at night.
@wolfgirl569 (113755)
• Marion, Ohio
26 Mar
It should be investigated. If they filed a report you could tell the authorities and they will investigate
1 person likes this
@mildredtabitha (16422)
• Nairobi, Kenya
27 Mar
They haven't reported yet. Involving the authorities would have made everything easier for me. But now it's not safe for me to share that kind of information. They might take the matter into their own hands or they might do something bad to that young man.
1 person likes this
@rakski (135025)
• Philippines
26 Mar
That’s a tricky situation. You don’t have solid proof, but you do have a strong gut feeling.
If you don’t want to get involved directly, maybe you could casually mention to a trusted neighbor or security person that you saw something odd a few weeks ago—without making accusations.
3 people like this
@mildredtabitha (16422)
• Nairobi, Kenya
27 Mar
Yes I should share with someone close. But I can't do that now. It's very risky.
I don't know the one to trust with that kind of information yet.
Many people in this area always take matters into their own hands instead of letting the authorities do everything.
They might even ask why I kept quiet that long when I sincerely didn't know they were stealing until someone finally complained.
1 person likes this
@rakski (135025)
• Philippines
27 Mar
@mildredtabitha it seems that they have been doing that for a long time already
1 person likes this
@mildredtabitha (16422)
• Nairobi, Kenya
28 Mar
@rakski yes. I think the time I saw them was not their first time to steal.
1 person likes this
@mildredtabitha (16422)
• Nairobi, Kenya
27 Mar
Yes. That is what I have decided to do. I keep my mouth shut so that I also don't put myself in danger.
1 person likes this
