A daring machete-wielding man filmed confronting the police during protests in London, Nakuru West on Tuesday has been arrested. Details have emerged that the man in question, who went into hiding after the incident, is not a Kenyan citizen but engaged in protests following the shooting of Daniel Nderitu, a local.
Police shot Nderitu on Monday during a confrontation between a group of youth and the officers, minutes after arresting three suspected drug dealers in the estate.
Nakuru West Sub County Police Commander Stephen Kirui on Friday morning confirmed to The Standard that the man was in their custody.
"I arrested the suspect in the Hilton area of London Estate and we identified him as Hassan Mtimkavu alias Paul Ositi, a Ugandan national," said Mr Kirui.
The sub-county police boss said that after the arrest, the suspect claimed to be sick and was allowed to get medical attention.
"In our observation, he faked being sick, but we took him to Nakuru Level Five Hospital, where he was admitted and placed under our watch," said Kirui.
Kirui said that the suspect has been discharged and is being processed to charge him in court.
"He shall be taken to court today, Friday, or on Monday once the process is complete. One of the offenses he will face is being in Kenya illegally," he said.
He added that the suspect will be charged with other offenses, including incitement, stealing, robbery, and breaking in.
"His actions were an incitement to the other people who then engaged in robbing civilians, shops, and breaking into commercial and residential establishments within the area," said Kirui.
During the demonstrations, the protestors barricaded the road while some took advantage of the situation to rob pedestrians and motorists who had to part with cash for them to pass through the Nakuru-Marigat road.
In a video that has gone viral, Mtimkavu is captured wielding a panga and daring a uniformed police officer who was armed with a teargas launcher. By Ken Gachuhi | The Standard