Tensions flared on Thursday evening along Thika Road, Nairobi, as police clashed with a mob attempting to free a suspect involved in a hit-and-run accident. The confrontation left two passengers injured after shots were fired to disperse the agitated crowd.
The incident began when two police officers, in plain clothes and driving a private car, were struck by a speeding matatu near the Kastemil area. The matatu driver, later identified as the suspect, fled the scene, prompting the officers to give chase. The officers, from Kasarani Police Station, eventually blocked the road and apprehended the suspect.
As the officers tried to make the arrest, a crowd, including passengers from the matatu, gathered and accused the police of attempting to abduct the driver. Despite the officers identifying themselves and explaining the situation, the mob grew increasingly hostile, threatening to stone the officers and set their car ablaze.
In a bid to restore order, one of the officers discharged four rounds of ammunition into the air. Unfortunately, two passengers from the matatu were caught in the chaos and sustained gunshot wounds. A 62-year-old man was hit in the left thigh, while a 42-year-old man suffered an injury to his left foot. Both victims were rushed to St. Francis Hospital, where they were reported to be in stable condition.
The matatu was later removed from the scene and impounded at the Zimmerman Police Post for further investigation.
The police condemned the mob’s actions, labeling them as obstruction to justice. Authorities noted an alarming rise in such incidents, citing similar cases in Embu and Nakuru where mobs accused police of abductions to justify interference with law enforcement operations.
“This trend of civil disobedience is not only dangerous but also criminal. Those found culpable will face the law,” said a senior police official.
In response to these challenges, officers on duty have been instructed to clearly identify themselves and explain their actions to the public to avoid misunderstandings.
Police have urged citizens to respect the rule of law, emphasizing that mob justice undermines efforts to maintain order and deliver justice. Investigations into the Thika Road incident are ongoing.
