Officer denies inciting riders against partner

A policeman attached to Langata Police Station in Nairobi has been charged with incitement at an Elgeyo Marakwet court.

Newton Chebii, a constable, was arraigned on Tuesday and charged with inciting boda boda riders to attack his colleague who is attached to Kapsowar Police Station in Marakwet West.

According to the charge sheet, Thomas Opalla was on Monday evening attempting to disperse a group of boda boda riders who had gathered in Kapsowar town.

Mr Opalla was asking the riders to go home after the government issued a stay-at-home directive following the Covid-19 restrictions.

The prosecution said Chebii, who had been suspended by the National Police Service in 2016 and reinstated in February last year, uttered words that encouraged the riders to attack his colleague.

Chebii pleaded not guilty to the charges and alleged that police officers at Kapsowar tortured him after his arrest on Monday.

Chebii further asked the court to release him on bail to attend to his sick six-month-old daughter.

But the prosecution told Iten Resident Magistrate Caroline Ateya to withhold bail terms for 14 days, arguing that Chebii was yet to fill a medical examination form (P3 form) that could prove he was actually assaulted while in custody.

Ms Ateya denied the accused bail and ordered that he be remanded at Iten Police Station for 14 days. She also directed that Chebii be taken to hospital for a medical check-up.

The case will come up for mention on April 14.