By Ngumbao Kithi
It was embarrassment galore when an overweight traffic policeman allowed a tout he had apprehended to escape to freedom because he could not give chase.
The officer had arrested the tout near the Mombasa General Post Office and led him to a police car parked on Digo Road.
However, at one point when he sensed the officer was distracted, the tout, who was not handcuffed, sprinted away with the policeman hot on his heels.
Onlookers were treated to a spectacle after the officer gave up the chase after sprinting a short distance and, instead, sank to his knees panting heavily.
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"This is a great shame. These are the people we want to protect us," one man said while others cheered the tout on.
After casting a swift backward glance and confirming his pursuer had run out of steam, the conductor slowed to a jog before he disappeared into the morning traffic to sweet freedom.
After catching his breath, wananchi challenged the officer to continue giving chase and arrest the suspect but he entered his vehicle and drove off.
When contacted, Mombasa OCPD Tom Odera described the incident as unfortunate but refused to comment further.
