A motorist who assaulted and injured a traffic police officer during a traffic stop in Mirema on Sunday has been apprehended, just hours after the incident that ignited outrage on social media.
Ian Njoroge, the suspect, was arrested at his home in the Jacaranda area of Kayole, Nairobi, on Sunday evening, in an operation led by the Nairobi area DCI.
The incident, which was documented at the Kasarani police station, revealed that the traffic police officer is receiving treatment for injuries sustained during the attack. According to the police report, the altercation began around 8 a.m. on Sunday when the motorist was flagged down for obstructing Mirema Drive.
“A police officer was on duty along Kamiti Road at Mirema Junction controlling traffic when he spotted a motor vehicle making a U-turn on the road, causing obstruction to other road users,” the police report stated.
When the officer approached the vehicle, the driver collided with the road kerb and got stuck. The traffic police officer then boarded the vehicle and directed the driver to the Kasarani Police Station. However, near the Quickmart supermarket on Kamiti Road, the motorist drew a sword from under the seat. The officer, fearing for his safety, jumped out of the car and fled, with the motorist, dressed in a red basketball jersey, jeans, and trainers, pursuing him.
Video footage of the incident shows the motorist knocking down the police officer with a punch before kicking him in the face. As the motorist attempted another attack, several bystanders rushed to the officer’s aid, prompting the assailant to flee the scene.
During the scuffle, the motorist allegedly stole a police pocket phone battery, which has not yet been recovered. The injured officer sought medical attention at Crestview Mother and Child Wellness Centre in Kasarani and was subsequently referred to Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital for further treatment.
The swift arrest of Ian Njoroge was a result of coordinated efforts by the Nairobi area DCI, reflecting the seriousness with which the authorities are treating the assault on law enforcement officers.
