Matatu driver jailed for killing Police officer
A matatu driver has been sentenced to a year in prison for his role in the death of a police officer who was manning a roadblock.
Milimani senior principal magistrate Martha Nanzushi has also ordered the cancellation of Edward Njenga’s driving licence for a period of two years.
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Njoroge was convicted for causing the death of Corporal Peter Lengeto Rerimoi who was manning a road block alongside other traffic police officers while dressed in full police uniform.
Besides the custodial sentence, Ms Nanzushi also allowed a plea by state prosecutor James Gachoka that the convict receives fresh driving lessons under the watch of the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) personnel after completing his jail term.
“As urged by the State Prosecutor Mr Gachoka I hereby order that you receive fresh driving lessons under the watch of NTSA officers after completing the sentence,” Ms Nanzushi directed.
Convicting Njoroge, Ms Nanzushi said the driver sped off after causing the accident along the Southern By-Pass within Lang’ata sub-county, Nairobi.
The magistrate said the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that the matatu driver caused the accident through dangerous driving.
Through its 12 prosecution witnesses including the Investigations officer PC Dickson Andeti the prosecution explained graphically how the accident occurred.
Cpl Rerimoi was manning a roadblock together with other officers.
He beckoned Njoroge to slow down but when the officer who was in full police uniform went to inspect the vehicle, the accused person accelerated and ran over the officer who died on the spot.
“This was done in full glare of other police officers and civilians who gave the rogue driver a high-speed chase while using civilian and police vehicles until they caught up with him,” noted Ms Nanzushi.
He was arrested and charged.
Police drew four charges against the convict including careless driving, failing to stop after the accident, and driving an un-roadworthy vehicle car.
For causing death through careless driving Njoroge was handed down a one-year -jail term while for the other three offences he was ordered to serve 6 months each.
He is also to attend mandatory driving lessons with NTSA after he completes his sentence before he can drive again on Kenyan roads.