The National Police Service has confirmed that legal proceedings are underway against a motorist captured on a viral video allegedly assaulting a traffic police officer in Nairobi’s Embakasi area.
In a statement issued on Sunday, May 17, the police service said the suspect had already been identified and that authorities were pursuing the matter through the legal process following widespread outrage online.
“The National Police Service strongly condemns a video circulating widely on social media showing a motorist confronting and physically assaulting a traffic police officer on duty in the Embakasi area. The motorist has been identified, and due process is underway,” the statement read.
The disturbing footage, which spread rapidly across social media platforms over the weekend, appeared to show a heated confrontation between the driver and the officer in the middle of a busy roadway.
At one point in the video, the visibly agitated motorist is seen grabbing and manhandling the officer as stunned onlookers watched. The officer initially appeared restrained and avoided retaliating, seemingly overwhelmed during the confrontation.
Moments later, two additional officers intervened to de-escalate the situation and restrain the suspect as tensions threatened to spiral further out of control. Authorities have not yet disclosed what triggered the altercation.
The police service described the incident as a “serious violation of the rule of law,” warning that attacks against officers undermine public order and threaten the integrity of law enforcement operations.
“The Service will not hesitate to take firm and appropriate lawful action against anyone who undermines police authority or attempts to impede officers in the discharge of their duties,” the NPS added.
The Embakasi incident was one of three separate assault-related cases highlighted by police over the weekend.
In another case in Lang’ata, police alleged that crew members attached to a Metro Shuttle bus confronted and assaulted a traffic officer who was enforcing road regulations. Authorities confirmed that several suspects had since been arrested and the vehicle involved impounded pending investigations.
Meanwhile, detectives are also probing a shocking incident in Mwiki, Kasarani, where a woman was allegedly set ablaze using petrol during a violent attack believed to have been fueled by political disagreements.
The victim remains in critical condition at Kenyatta National Hospital as detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations continue investigations.
Police have urged members of the public with information regarding any of the incidents to report to the nearest police station or use official anonymous reporting channels.
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