Man gets three years in jail for assaulting police officer

By Nderitu Gichure

Nyeri, Kenya: A man who beat up a police officer was Thursday sent to jail for three years by a Nyeri court.

Samuel Mwangi Njoki was charged and convicted by Nyeri Chief Magistrate Wilbrodah Juma for assaulting police officer Constable Stephen Wambua kyalo.

However, the accused was acquitted of an alternative charge of being found with 10 rolls of bhang for insufficient evidence.

‘’There is insufficient evidence to sustain a conviction on the accused being found in possession of cannabis sativa and therefore this court has given him the benefit of doubt and acquit him of the charge’’Juma said.

While passing her judgment, Juma said she took judicial notice that police officers continue to face numerous and sometimes hazardous challenge in their execution of their duties.

 ‘’The citizen in this country should be discouraged from taking the law into their own hands and let it take its course. In this case, a deterrent sentence is deserved ‘’Juma said.

The prosecution led by Superintendent Soncious Mwangi told the court that on the March 23 at 4.30 pm, constable Kyalo and his two colleagues were on patrol in Majengo area when they came across a group of four young men smoking bhang.

Upon seeing the police, the four took off and the police chased after them before they caught up with the accused who started raining blows and kicks on the officer in an attempt to resist arrest.

It was at this time that Kyalo sustained injuries on his middle finger on his right hand side.