Alarm as civilians wage war on police officers

A video has done the rounds in social media of a tuk-tuk driver seemingly bent on teaching two police officers a lesson.

The man fights one of the officers, circles around what appears to be roadblock and then stops, gets out of the vehicle, grabs stones and hurls them at the two, forcing them to flee.

INCREASING CASES

It is not clear what prompted the driver to react that way but reports at the weekend indicated that the policemen had tried to arrest him.

When the Nation contacted Nakuru base commander Mishanze Thoya, he said, “That place is not Nakuru and none of our officers has been attacked."

This is just one of several cases of civilians attacking police officers.

These cases have been on the rise in various parts of the country.

The incident came just days after Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i asked civilians not to trade accusations with police as they also suffer in their hands.

FIERCE FIGHT

Before the dust could settle, another amateur video emerged of a police officer fighting with a man believed to be a boda boda rider.

Shocked members of the public are heard asking him to stop and to never engage in confrontations with police.

However, not even the policeman's AK 47 rifle, that hangs from his shoulder as they fight, deters the man.

So daring he is that he even tries to disarm the officer.

“Huyu jamaa anapigana na askari. (This man is fighting with a police officer),” a person is heard saying.

FORCED SEARCH

In yet another shocking incident, a police officer was forcibly searched by passengers who accused him of taking bribes.

In the video of the case early this year, the officer could not convince the angry passengers to let him go without parting with the amount they claimed he had collected.

The video attracted a public debate but the discussion eventually lost momentum.

These incidents come at a time when a tag of war is being witnessed between police officers and civil rights groups, the latter accusing the former of using excessive force against civilians.

On Monday, the National Police Service, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) and the Motorist Association of Kenya condemned the attacks against police.

BOINNET'S WARNING

Speaking to the Nation on phone, Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinet warned that action will be taken against all the civilians filmed attacking police officers.

Mr Boinnet said it is worse for a civilian to attack an officer than it is for a civilian being on the receiving end.

“The law is very clear; it does not allow such behaviour. It is a grave mistake to raise your hand against a police officer,” he said, noting the offence attracts "very serious sanctions"

Mr Boinet said investigations were on and that the culprits will soon be arrested and taken to court.

Action will also be taken against the officers who were filmed hurling stones at the tuktuk driver, he added.

ANARCHY

The Ipoa noted that the attacks interrupt the dispensation of security services.

In a statement sent to media houses, head of communication Denis Oketch said it is unacceptable for people to take matters into their own hands.

“With a serving police service and a robust Judiciary in place, [this is unacceptable]. This is likely to foster anarchy and break the established order in society,” he said.

Mr Oketch further said civilian attacks on police have jeopardised reforms in the service, as "the public turn and commit the same offences they complain about when police commit them”.

The motorist association noted that it does not condone such behaviour by motorists.

“It is very unfortunate that this is happening. Anyone who is arrested will face the law alone because we, as an umbrella body, cannot support those who break the law,” said Mr Karori Wambugu.

The attacks are in the wake of a sustained countrywide crackdown for motorists to observe Michuki rules.

The operation, by the Interior ministry and the National Transport and Safety Authority, is aimed at curbing road carnage as the latest statistics by the NTSA show that at least 2,214 people have died in road accidents since January.