Nakuru: Police on spot for assaulting business man, stealing Sh32 000

Station's deputy boss says an inquiry had been opened and action will be taken [photo courtesy]

Police officers are on the spot for allegedly assaulting and robbing a businessman of Sh32,000.

Charles Kamau, 44, claims he was assaulted by five officers attached to Nakuru Police Station on Saturday night.

Kamau during an interview with The Standard, said he had responded to a distress call from his driver who had earlier been involved in a minor road accident with a motorcycle rider at around 9pm.

The man said the driver was on his way home when a motorcycle hit his vehicle from the rear occasioning minimal damage. A passenger who was on board the motorcycle, however, suffered slight injuries after falling off the motorbike, the trader said.

His driver, he said, thought it wise to involve the police and a traffic officer went to the scene of the accident. The officer allegedly assessed the scene and advised the pillion passenger be taken to hospital for checkup.

In company of the traffic officer, the driver of the vehicle took the injured passenger to Nakuru Provincial General Hospital where he was attended to and discharged.

The driver and the officer drove to the police station to record a statement and it is while there that he called the car owner (Kamau).

Kamau said he drove to the station where he was briefed on what happened.

Shockingly the officer, he said, informed him what was 'required of him' to have his vehicle released.

The police officer he said demanded Sh5,000 to have the car released.

Kamau said he declined to give the money as his driver was not on the wrong. He sought to engage the station’s traffic base commander, efforts which angered the officer.

Kamau said he then left the station as his driver followed him.

He said while he walked to where he had parked his vehicle, the police officer ran and closed the station’s main gate and walked back only to return with four other officers and started beating him up.

“I received blows and kicks before I could even explain what had transpired,” he said.

The man sustained soft tissue injuries on his right leg, back and the left eye.

He later realised he had lost Sh32,000 he had in his pocket in the process of the assault. The father of five said his life is in danger.

Nakuru Police Station Deputy OCPD Daniel Kitavi said he is aware of the matter and an inquiry had been opened.

“I'm aware of the case by Kamau, investigations are ongoing and action will be taken,” said Kitavi.