Fury as woman hurt in police-boda boda drama

Lamu police are under pressure to arrest a colleague whose actions resulted in the injury of a boda boda passenger.

Witnesses said the officer, in an apparent attempt to force the boda boda rider to stop, reportedly threw his gun at him but it missed the target and hit Margaret Njeri who fell off the motorcycle and was seriously injured.

Lamu ward representatives and activists on Thursday called for legal action against the policeman involved in the incident at Kanyanyaini area in Mpeketoni on Saturday.

Ms Njeri was admitted to Mombasa’s Pandya Hospital ICU with head injuries.

Lamu County Police Commander Ephantus Kiura said they were investigating the matter.

Speaking to the Nation on telephone on Thursday, Mr Kiura said: “What I know is that we have launched investigations into the issue and people should be calm.”

The Nation learnt on Thursday that the policeman, his colleague and the boda boda rider recorded statements at Mpeketoni Police Station on Wednesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Mr Kiura denied claims by rights activists and some members of the Lamu county assembly that the policeman had been secretly transferred to Kizingitini in Lamu East after the incident.

However, Deputy County Commissioner David Ndambuki said on Thursday he had instructed police in Lamu to conduct “thorough’’ investigations into the case.

Speaking to the Nation, Mr Ndambuki said “prompt’’ action would be taken once he receives a full report on the accident.

On Thursday, relatives of the 22-year-old woman, who works as a secretary at a legal firm in Mpeketoni, said doctors said she would remain in ICU for some time.

“She has so far undergone two CT scans and she is improving by the day, she is even able to open her eyes. From the examinations, the doctors have advised us that she will have to spend more time in the ICU as they run more tests on her,” said Ann Nguguna, Ms Njeri’s sister.