Two city touts have been charged with assaulting a police officer and resisting arrest following an incident in the Babadogo area of Ruaraka, Nairobi County.
Bernard Odhiambo and Winstone Khaimba are accused of wilfully and unlawfully assaulting Police Constable (PC) Moses Chivatsi on July 16 by scratching him with handcuffs during an attempted arrest.
The pair also face charges of resisting lawful arrest after allegedly refusing to be handcuffed and obstructing police officers in the execution of their duties.
According to the prosecution, the incident occurred while a team of plain-clothes officers, including PC Chivatsi, was conducting patrols in an area known for incidents of mobile phone snatching and theft targeting passengers at bus stages. The operation was aimed at apprehending touts and conductors operating in breach of traffic and public service vehicle regulations.
Police told the court that the officers approached Odhiambo after finding him working as a conductor without the mandatory uniform and identification badge. He allegedly resisted arrest by refusing to be handcuffed, leading to a struggle during which PC Chivatsi sustained an injury to his hand.
