Mombasa man arrested for allegedly killing traffic police officer on duty

The police officer died in the line of duty in Mombasa on February 27, 2023. [File, Standard]

Police in Mombasa have arrested a motorist accused of causing the death of a traffic police officer on Monday, February 27.

Constable Julius Marwa was controlling traffic at Buxton Junction at 4:30 pm, when the suspect defied stop orders and sped off, dragging Marwa against the tarmac.

Police have identified the suspect as Jama Abdi Osman.

"Abdi was asked by Marwa to turn off the engine to allow the officer to conduct a normal traffic check, but he declined," a report filed at the Makupa Police Station under the OB Number 64/27/02/2023 said.

"The action of the driver prompted the officer to open the driver's door with the intent to turn off the ignition, but unexpectedly the driver grabbed the officer's hand and tried to pull him inside the vehicle before driving off at high speed," added the report.

An eye witness told police that Osman, who was driving a Toyota Ractis, dragged Marwa on the tarmac for about 200 meters.

It is alleged the suspect, thereafter, pushed the victim out of the car, and the right rear wheel ran over him.

"The officer sustained serious head injury and multiple fractures on the pelvic. He was rushed to Jocham Hospital, where he was pronounced dead on arrival," said the police report. Marwa's body was moved to the same hospital's morgue.

The vehicle used by the suspect was later traced to a basement parking within Beach Road Estate in Nyali.

Osman, who was found inside the car, was arrested and his vehicle was towed to Makupa Police Station.

Investigations are ongoing, police said.