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IPOA condemns attack on traffic police officer in Kasarani

A traffic police officer at work in Nairobi. (Photo: X)

By Barack Oduor | Monday, June 3, 2024

Authority says such actions exacerbate disregard for the rule of law and inconvenience Kenyans regarding their constitutional right to enjoy policing services.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has condemned the attack on a police officer on duty in the Kasarani area of Nairobi on Sunday by a man who was captured on video.

Chairperson Anne Makori announced on Monday that their preliminary investigations identified the officer as Corporal Jacob Ogendo, who was on traffic management duties along Kamiti Road.

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Makori reported that the attack ensued upon the officer's attempt to arrest a motorist who had breached traffic rules.

"IPOA notes that the involved suspects are all under police custody at the moment. IPOA strongly condemns such attacks, noting that they interrupt the provision of security services and strip the public of policing services."

Makori added that such actions exacerbate disregard for the rule of law and inconvenience Kenyans regarding their constitutional right to enjoy policing services.

She urged Kenyans who feel disgruntled about policing services or police officers to lodge their complaints with the authority to allow investigations instead of resorting to attacks.

Police arrested 19-year-old Ian Njoroge as a suspect on Sunday night after looking at the footage of the assault. Several clips shared on social media went viral for the better part of the day.

Njoroge was apprehended at his hideout in Kayole Estate and will face charges, including attempted murder, the police said, with their reports indicating that he was armed with a sword at the time of the incident.

Corporal Ogendo was taken to the Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital.

The officer said the incident happened when he attempted to escort Njoroge to the Kasarani Police Station for a traffic violation.

Ogendo approached the vehicle, asking the driver to clear the way for other motorists, but he attempted to flee and swerved and, in a moment of miscalculation, hit the kerb and got stuck. As he struggled to move the vehicle, the officer approached, entered the car, and asked him to drive to the police station.

"Upon reaching the Quickart (supermarket), the driver suddenly stopped and pulled a sword from under the seat. The officer jumped out of the vehicle for his safety, and the driver followed him with blows and kicks," the police said in a report.

During the scuffle, the suspect allegedly stole the police officer's pocket phone battery, which has yet to be recovered.

A person who was in Njoroge's vehicle during the incident was also arrested.