Policeman held after KOT’s rage

Kenyans on Twitter pushed police and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) to initiate arrest of the driver of a government vehicle that caused a minor accident.

Early Friday morning, Waithera Gaitho, the Executive Director of Alternatives Africa tweeted that her car had allegedly been hit by another one driven on the wrong side of Ngong Road.

The tweet carried a photo showing two men in grey suits next to a grey Toyota Prado vehicle registration number KCM 485Y. Ms Gaitho claimed the driver merely looked at the damage and drove on. “I have been hit by these “very important” people while they were driving on the wrong side. Please help me find them,” read the tweet.

What followed were angry reactions from Kenyans condemning impunity on Kenyan roads especially by top government officials. And it did not take long before reaction from government agencies sprang into action or so it seemed.

Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions responded making a shocking revelation that the car in question was actually their own.

“The matter has been brought to the attention of the DPP. The motor vehicle belongs to the ODPP and the DPP has directed that immediate action be taken by NPSC (National Police Service Commission) against the driver involved. The public shall be informed of the progress of the case,” read the tweet.

Later, police responded directing the complainant to report the matter to the nearest police station and owned up to accusations that officers on VIP security detail been harassing motorists on the road.

“Whereas we have not established the identity of the individuals in the case above, irresponsible conduct by officers on VIP security duties while on public roads has been brought to the attention of the Inspector General of Police,” said Inspector General Joseph Boinett.

A police official who did not want to be named told Sunday Standard the suspected motorist had been arrested and was held at Milimani Police Post. But the tweets by Gaitho were pessimistic of police action with one of her tweets dismissively stating, “I already did. Didn’t seem like I was taken seriously.”