On Ian NJoroge's Arrest: Online Communities Speak

Kenyans on social media have called out the Kenya police for what they term as inhumane harassment of Ian Njoroge, the youth arrested for beating up a police officer.

Ian Njoroge was caught on video beating up a police officer at Mirema Drive on June 2, 2024, and was apprehended a few hours later on the same day. Njoroge was arraigned in court and charged with Robbery with violence, among other charges, after he was accused of stealing a mobile phone from the police officer.

Kenyans who seem to side with the university student, say police harassment has been rampant over the years, questioning the motto “service to all.”

In a video posted on X by Boniface Mwangi, alias “The Peoples’ Watchman,” Ian is seen in court with a cast over his arm, and states that he is in pain.

Kenyans have also questioned the delayed arrest of Gatundu South Member of Parliament, Gabriel Kagombe, who is facing murder charges for shooting a boda boda rider in Thika. The question of why his arrest wasn't expedited as Ian's was, has been raised.

Embakasi East MP, Babu Owino, speaking on the matter, called it an overstretch, saying the government has blown things out of proportion. He questioned the overuse of police manpower in Ian’s case, while also questioning the force’s ability to undertake the Haiti Mission.

“We are telling the Magistrate that Ian Njoroge must be released unconditionally,” he said.

In a second hearing, Milimani law courts principal magistrate, Ben Ekhubi, released the accused on a bond of Ksh 700,000, saying the arguments to deny him bond by the state were unconvincing.

Kenyans on Reddit were quick to comment on the issue, with one Redditor saying the young man handled the matter in the best way possible.

“The police officer brought all this on himself; how do you extort a jobless young man?” the Redditor wrote.