A matatu driver is in critical condition at Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital after he was brutally beaten by police officers on Tuesday evening.
Jesse Ngari, who was admitted with broken ribs and multiple body injuries, was allegedly arrested and thrown into a cell “naked” after committing a traffic offence.
His collegues accused the officers of harrassment and demanded for action to be taken.
“The worst thing they did is taking him to the hospital at night and locking him again before releasing him this morning without preferring any charges against him,” said head of Police in Laikipia East, Kegode Kidiavai.
Matatu operations along the Nanyuki-Meru road ceased after the drivers and condutors drove to the hospital and Nanyuki police station seeking justice.
The demonstrators blocked the road after finding the police station gate closed, causing a traffic snarl-up that only eased after the area police boss promised to dialogue with them.
Eye witnesses recounted that Mr Ngari was chased around town by the officers, before being arrested for picking passengers at a wrong spot. He was then senselessly beaten with gun-butts and later taken to the police station.
Mr Kidivai urged owners of the matatu sacco to record statements at the station for the culprits to be charged officially.
