Matatu driver who killed traffic officer over license released

A matatu driver who was arraigned in court for running over a traffic cop and killing him has been released on Sh300,000 cash bail.

Appearing before Milimani Law Courts Magistrate Martha Nanzushi, Edward Njoroge pleaded not guilty after being charged with dangerous driving.

Njoroge was detained for seven days while police conducted investigations.

The driver was arrested after knocking down the traffic officer along the Southern Bypass at the Lang’ata underpass on Tuesday, January 28.

According to Lang’ata OCPD Gregory Mutiso, Officer Peter Lukote was ran over by the matatu driver, after flagging him down upon suspicion of carrying unidentified plastics.

Lukote is said to have signaled the driver to stop, and when he did, the officer asked Njoroge for his driving license.

It’s alleged that the driver refused to hand over his DL, and that is when the tussle began. Njoroge then put his gear on and ran over Lukote, who had accidentally slipped and fallen down.

“The officer met his death after being knocked down by a PSV motor vehicle a Toyota matatu of Aberdereline Sacco which he had flagged down at a road-block at Lang’ata underpass area along the Southern bypass,” read a statement by the police.

While attempting to flee, Njoroge was chased by a vehicle belonging to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), that had been parked near the accident scene.