Traffic Police Officer thoroughly beaten by matatu touts for snatching ignition keys in Iten Bomet

There was drama in Iten town, Elgeyo/Marakwet County when a senior traffic policeman was beaten by irate members of the public after he allegedly snatched the ignition key from a stationary matat

The Wednesday afternoon pandemonium brought business to a near standstill at the sporting town as residents thronged the bus termini to have a glimpse of the rare spectacle.

The police officer attached to Iten police station, traffic department, was accosted by the incensed mob after he allegedly took out and ignition key from the matatu that was loading tomatoes.

According to a witness, Delmas Kosgei, the officer in full police uniform together with his driver where driving along the Iten-Eldoret road when he spotted the matatu being loaded with tomatoes at the nearby market.

“The commuters and touts at the Iten bus termini were stunned by the uncouth manner the traffic officer went and removed the ignition key from the vehicle,” said Kosgei.

He said that after removing the key, the officer told the driver he must follow him the police station to record a statement over obstruction of traffic offence and be consequently charged in court.

“But angry motorists wrestled him to the ground and snatched the ignition key before descending on him with kicks and blows,” added Kosgei.

The officer was however rescued by the touts who told the mob that the officer has learnt his lesson.

When contacted about the incident, the senior traffic officer said the matatu driver was a habitual law breaker and had defied orders to stop while on the road.

“The vehicle is not yet licensed to carry passengers but wananchi just laugh at us when we are being attacked and in essence we are protecting their lives when they board such vehicles,” said the officer.

He said the driver will be sought and arrested to answer traffic offence charges.

This is the third time, this year, the same officer is being attacked by members of the public accusing him of using brutal force in the line of duty.

Watch video from the last incident.

Adopted from: Standard Media

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Frank Okemwa