Four people who cornered and attacked police officers in Kuresoi North were Friday arraigned before a Molo court for incitement and assault charges.
Peter Waithaka, David Kariuki, James Chege and Josphat Kimani were jointly charged with committing the offence at Kamwaura trading centre on July 23, 2019.
Particulars of the charges indicated that the four had incited the public who in turn obstructed the police from arresting Waithaka who is a renowned businessman in the area.
The court heard that the police had – on the material day – in the company of their boss, the Officer Commanding Molo police Station proceeded to the centre to arrest Waithaka on allegations of theft where they were attacked by locals and had to free him.
The remaining trio faced additional charges of malicious damage to property where they set ablaze the probox vehicle that was being used by the police officers being the property of Evelyn Chepkoech.
They denied the charges before principal magistrate, Rhoda Yator and were each granted a bond of Sh500, 000 with a surety of a similar amount or an alternative cash bail of Sh100, 000.
The policemen who were attacked by the agitated members of public sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Molo sub-county hospital for treatment while their boss escaped unhurt.
According to the prosecution, the businessman declined to accompany the detectives since they were not in uniform and had no warrant of arrest.
The omissions made the businessman conclude that the policemen were criminals out to kidnap him and that this situation compelled him to ask for help from the villagers.
By Emily Kadzo
