Generational Curse: How Leon Shimoli Followed in His Father’s Footsteps of Crime

The annals of Nairobi’s underworld are tainted with tales of brazen criminality and audacious defiance of the law.

One such narrative revolves around Leon Shimoli, a figure whose descent into a life of lawlessness seemed an inevitability, given the notorious reputation of his lineage. Born in 1995, Leon was the third child of the infamous Edward Shimoli, a name that elicited fear and trepidation among the denizens of Nairobi’s Eastlands. Edward’s criminal exploits were the stuff of legend, with a rap sheet boasting 99 sexual assaults and countless robberies during the tumultuous 1990s.

Leon’s formative years were spent at Rabi Road Primary School where he was often accused of inappropriate behaviour and truancy. It was a precursor of the path he would ultimately tread, following in the footsteps of his father and brother, Farid, both of whom had met their demise at the hands of law enforcement. After dropping out of school after Standard Eight, Leon’s life took a turn towards the seedy underbelly of Nairobi’s criminal landscape. He immersed himself in the world of football academies and clubs, but his true calling lay in the realm of lawlessness.

Residing with his mother in Jericho, Leon would often retreat to the shadows of Ziwani Estate where he could indulge in his nefarious activities without the prying eyes of the authorities. He cultivated a reputation for being a quiet and reserved individual, a facade that concealed his true nature as a remorseless criminal. Leon’s method of operation was characterized by a blatant disregard for the law and an inclination towards violence. He was known to carry two firearms at all times – one for his personal use and another to lend to his accomplices during robberies. The possession of a gun was seen as a personal asset, ensuring a larger share of the ill-gotten gains.

Despite numerous brushes with the law and multiple short-term sentences for possession of marijuana, Leon remained undeterred, pleading guilty to avoid more severe charges of armed robbery. His criminal exploits were fueled by a deep investment in superstitious beliefs, leading him to collect soil and blood from crime scenes where his accomplices had been killed, presumably for use in rituals. The reign of terror inflicted by Leon and his gang was far-reaching, with daylight robberies, confrontations with authorities, and daring escapes becoming commonplace.

Their brazen activities prompted the cancellation of football matches at the Jericho stadium as residents feared being targeted for their valuables. However, Leon’s luck eventually ran out on that fateful day on Dunga Road, where he and his accomplices were gunned down by police during a foiled robbery attempt. The swift action by law enforcement brought an end to a decades-long spree of lawlessness that had plagued the residents of Nairobi’s Eastlands.

In the aftermath of Leon’s demise, a chilling account emerged of a mistaken identity that had claimed the life of an innocent bystander.