by Shaheen Darr

Created on: April 26, 2008   Last Updated: May 21, 2010

Just the mention of the word 'robbery' is enough to make me shiver. It is a fear invoking word anyway, but because I have had first hand experience of a robbery, it makes it even more frightening and real for me.

It happened eight years ago when I was visiting my family in Kenya. Kenya is quite renowned for its unsafe streets and stories of robberies abound all the time. Some of these robberies are small thefts, a necklace snatched on the street or a youngster running off with your handbag as you are walking in the town centre. Others are more chilling when people actually get shot in their own houses or get killed because they resist or refuse to give their valuables to thiefs or vandals.

I used to hear these stories all the time but as is always the case you assume it happens to other people and you are somehow exempt. You assume that God will keep His eye on you and your loved ones because you haven't done anything like this to anyone else so why should it happen to you? Well, this reasoning just doesn't apply in the real world. You can be a victim whether you are innocent of any wrong doing or not. It can happen to anyone and it happened to me.

I was in the kitchen when the door suddenly burst open. A very tall man walked in and all I remember is him shouting, 'It is time to fear' in Kiswahili, in a very hard, very authoritative voice. I will never forget the frightening feeling that went through my whole body. It was a strange, numbing feeling that made it seem so unreal, as if I was watching these events unfold in a movie.

He pointed a gun at my head and asked me where the money was kept. I had no idea where it could be because I was just a guest and did not know the whereabouts of any money in the house. I was alone at home because everyone else had gone to do some shopping and because I did not feel well enough to face the midday heat of the Kenyan sun I had decided to stay at home.

In Kiswahili I told him I was a guest and all I could offer him was my handbag which had money in it. He shouted something harsh in response and I pointed to where I had left my bag earlier. He dragged me to it and rummaged through the contents of my bag. He opened my wallet and took all the holiday money I had in there. It was at this moment that there was the sound of a car approaching and before I could do anything he took my handbag, pushed me on the floor and disappeared as quickly as he had come.

I remember the feelings of anger, outrage, disgust and confusion at what had happened. These were combined with feelings of violation because of the fact that a stranger had just walked into our home and treated me in this manner. I tried to recall all that I had in my handbag apart from the money, I had some personal items including my beloved diary. This was heart breaking for me as it had numbers of my friends and private notes that were meant for my eyes only and no one else's.

Feelings of anger at the political situations in developing countries that a breeding ground for such criminal activities also came to mind. The poverty in Kenya is so rampant that people rob at the slightest excuse. The rich politicians turn a blind eye to all these problems and over the years have done absolutely nothing to bring about any long term changes. Despite the fact that I could understand the desperation that makes people do such evil acts I still find it so hard to forget that day. It has changed a part of me for ever.

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