A traffic police officer is recovering in hospital after being injured during a violent confrontation with a matatu crew along the busy Thika–Nairobi service lane.
The officer, attached to the Ruiru Traffic Base, was on duty at the Kihunguro Roundabout when the incident occurred.
Police reports indicate that the officer had stopped a Toyota Hiace matatu belonging to Chania Travellers SACCO after it allegedly picked passengers at an undesignated point.
As he engaged the crew, the conductor reportedly grabbed him by the collar and pulled him towards the sliding door. In the struggle, the officer’s trouser leg became trapped in the door. The driver then sped off, dragging the officer for several metres before he fell onto the tarmac.
Fellow officers and members of the public quickly responded and rescued the injured officer.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors confirmed he had suffered a fracture to his left hip joint. He was admitted in stable condition and continues to receive treatment.
The matatu driver and conductor fled the scene immediately after the incident. Police have since launched a manhunt for the two, with investigations already underway.
Authorities say tracing the vehicle and its crew remains a top priority, noting that the attack not only endangered the officer’s life but also highlighted the risks traffic police face while enforcing road safety rules.
Police have urged members of the public to share any information that could help in locating the suspects.