A motorist who assaulted and injured a traffic police officer during a traffic stop in Mirema on Sunday has been arrested, just hours after the incident that sparked outrage on social media.
Citizen.Digital understands that the suspect, Ian Njoroge, was apprehended at his home in the Jacaranda area of Kayole, Nairobi, on Sunday evening as part of an operation led by the Nairobi area DCI.
The ghastly incident was filed at the Kasarani police station, with officers familiar with the situation disclosing that the traffic police officer was seeking treatment from the injuries sustained during the attack.
According to the police report, the motorist was flagged at around 8 a.m. on Sunday for obstructing Mirema Drive.
“A police officer was on duty along Kamiti Road at Mirema Junction controlling traffic, the officer spotted a motor vehicle which was making a U-turn on the road causing obstruction to other road users,” the police report reads in part.
“When he approached the said motor vehicle, the driver hit the road kerb and got stuck.”
During the stop, a traffic police officer boarded the vehicle and, according to the report, directed the driver to the Kasarani Police Station.
Officers investigating the incident say the motorist drew a sword from under the seat while driving near the Quickmatt supermarket on Kamiti Road.
Fearing for his own safety, the police officer is said to have jumped out of the car and fled, with the motorist, dressed in a red basketball jersey over jeans and trainers, hot on his heels.
The video shows the unidentified man knocking down the police officer with an overhand before soccer-kicking him in the face.
As he attempted to attack the officer again, several people dashed to his aid. The video captures him fleeing the scene.
During the scuffle, the motorist allegedly stole a police pocket phone battery, which has yet to be recovered.
Meanwhile, the police officer sought medical attention at Crestview Mother and Child Wellness Centre Kasarani and was referred to Mama Lucy for further treatment.
