KDF soldier, corporal making 'illegal arrests' beat up police officers

Authorities claim the arrests that the three suspects were making on Wednesday, were illegal. [File, Standard]

Three law enforcement officers are in police custody for making illegal arrests and assaulting their colleagues in Nairobi.

Police Corporal Cliff Ombati, Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldier Ben Shiundu and Prison Warder Eugene Shivachi were arrested in the Nairobi’s central business district on Wednesday, April 21 while effecting "unnecessary" arrests.

Police say the three assigned themselves the task without approval from superior authorities.

“They made a mockery of the multi-agency spirit to fight crime by uniting to commit crime instead of complimenting (sic) each other’s efforts in guaranteeing the public safety and security of Kenyans,” the DCI said in a statement.

Corporal Cliff Ombati is stationed at Uhuru Camp, whereas KDF man, Ben Shiundu, is attached to Mariakani Army camp. Eugene Shivachi, on the other hand, is stationed at the Wajir GK Prison, the DCI said.

Authorities claim the arrests that the three were making were illegal.

“They embarked on effecting illegal arrests of boda boda riders on trumped-up charges and demanding bribes from them,” said the DCI.

The suspects are further accused of cornering a boda boda operator on City Hall Way and confiscating his motorbike, vowing to hand it back only if the owner, Cyrus Mwangi, parted with Sh4,000 as bribe.

“After they started harassing the rider, a curious onlooker alerted uniformed police officers on patrol.” The officers on duty were identified as Reagan Akiko and Shukri Abdi.

“Akiko and Abdi were met by a hail of kicks and blows from the officers of the law turned criminals,” said the DCI.

“It took the combined effort of the officers on patrol and members of the public to subdue Ombati, Shiundu and Shivachi, who had left their places of duty hundreds of kilometers away to reap from the sweat of hardworking Kenyans,” said the DCI.

Patrol officers Akiko and Abdi sustained serious injuries following the attack, police said.

Two handcuffs were recovered from the suspects.

Corporal Ombati and Prison Warder Shivachi are being held in custody at the Central Police Station, whereas KDF officer, Shiundu, was handed over to military police for disciplinary action.

“Ombati and Shivachi will be arraigned on Thursday, April 22 to answer to charges of soliciting bribe, impersonation, and misuse of police equipment,” said the DCI.