GSU officer slaps Mpesa operator after being asked to produce ID card

Mpesa shop. [File, Standard]

Drama ensued in Mutuati Town in Meru County when members of the public protested against an incident where a man allegedly slapped an Mpesa operator after he was asked to produce an identity card to be served.

 The man who later turned out to be a GSU officer attached at Kinisa Station had visited the Mpesa shop where he wanted to withdraw Sh400.

 But as per the rules set by the telecommunication company Safaricom, the operator,  Caroline Nkunja, asked the officer identified as Derrick Nateminya to produce an identity card which he declined.

 "He came and withdrew the Sh400 but when I asked him to produce an identity card as required, he started telling me that I should in the first place know who he is and that I should not treat him like I do to others," said Nkunja.

 Despite revealing that he was a GSU officer Nkunja insisted that she was not ready to go against the rules of transaction.

 By this time she was holding the money waiting for the identity card so she could record the transaction on her book.

 The officer, after losing his temper sneaked his hand past the shop grills and snatched the money and slapped her twice.

 She has reported the matter at Mutuati Police Station under OB 18/30/9/2019

Her husband, Philip Nkunja, said this was a dehumanising act and that the law should take its course.

 Members of the public who witnessed the incident now want the County Commander and the Director of Public Prosecutions to intervene and ensure justice that officer is brought to book.

 Other residents lamented that the officers at Kinisa have been mistreating them and that they demand they they stop such behaviours failure to which they will decide to take action.

 "The officers have been beating people as they wish especially at night and others forcing people's women to love them by force. This is a trend that must be stopped before people decide to take the law into their hands," said John Thuranira, a resident.

 But while speaking to the Standard on phone, Nateminya denied the claims adding that this was just a framed story.

 "She refused to give me part of the money I had withdrawn and when I tried to call area OCS, she started claiming I had beaten her up," he said.