Three deny injuring, robbing police boss

By Wainaina Ndung’u

Nyeru, Kenya: Three villagers were charged in a Mukurwe-ini court with assault and theft after the Nyeri DCIO was injured outside his area of operation.

James Oludhe is nursing neck and face injuries and is admitted at the Consolata Mathari Mission Hospital after rowdy villagers beat him up when he and the assistant chief of Gatura allegedly went to arrest a man at Gaikundo on Sunday afternoon.

Villagers claimed that Oludhe and the chief arrived at the home of James Mukoma Wambugu to arrest him for reportedly giving false information to a person employed in public service but declined to identify themselves.

The suspect is said to have called other villagers who asked the two to identify themselves but they declined. In the ensuing confrontation, the assistant chief sneaked into the farm and escaped.

Not aware

But the DCIO bore the brunt of the villagers losing his pistol which was loaded with 15 rounds of ammunition, two mobile phones, certificate of appointment, NHIF card and car keys besides sustaining injuries.

Acting area OCPD Beatrice Kimoning declined to comment on the incident saying she had taken office in the area Tuesday and was just starting to settle in.

Residents claimed police and the chief returned to the village later at night and arrested the father, mother and step-mother of the suspect who is still at large.

The three Tuesday denied charges before Mukurwe-ini acting Senior Resident Magistrate Victor Atieno.