Kasarani Traffic Cop Assaulted by TUK Student Explains Why He Dropped the Case
Jacob Ogendo, a government law enforcer, has officially withdrawn the case he had filed against 19-year-old Ian Njoroge.
The traffic police officer had taken legal action against Njoroge, an engineering student at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK), accusing him of physically assaulting him in public and allegedly stealing his mobile phone.
While addressing the court, Ogendo stated that he had chosen to drop the charges against the student out of compassion.
“As a parent, I believe young people deserve a second chance. I made this decision voluntarily, without any external influence,” Ogendo told Milimani Senior Principal Magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi.
Njoroge was initially charged with unlawfully attacking a police officer and inflicting serious injuries.
His family welcomed Ogendo’s decision with gratitude. The young man also expressed remorse, assuring the court that he had learned his lesson and would not repeat his mistakes.
Outside the courtroom, Ian’s parents, legal representatives, and former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko commended Ogendo for his generosity, acknowledging the impact of his decision.
On her part, Ian’s mother, Ruth Nyambura, appreciated the judge for handling the case fairly, without external pressure.
Meanwhile, Ogendo revealed that Sonko had reached out to him, requesting leniency for Ian. However, despite forgiving the student, Ogendo noted that he had suffered significant medical expenses from the injuries he sustained during the attack and was still undergoing treatment, which he continued to pay for out of pocket.
He also mentioned that he had forfeited his KSh 50,000 Samsung mobile phone and money lost during the incident while on duty.
Back in 2024, Ian was granted bond under strict conditions. The court had set his release terms at a KSh 700,000 bond with a similar surety amount. Since he was denied the option of cash bail, he was required to present a logbook or a title deed worth KSh 700,000. Sonko stepped in and offered his vehicle as security for the bond.
How Ian Njoroge’s Mother Reacted to the Incident
Before Ogendo decided to withdraw the case, Njoroge’s mother, Ruth Nyambura, had publicly apologized to the officer.
She admitted that her son had made a mistake, adding that watching the viral video of the incident had been deeply traumatic for her.
Nyambura explained that she had invested in her son’s upbringing by enrolling him in church programs and prestigious schools, which made his actions even more shocking to her.
However, while acknowledging Ian’s wrongdoing, she refuted claims about the circumstances of his arrest. Contrary to some reports, she clarified that her son was not apprehended at his girlfriend’s house, but rather while at home with her when the police arrived.
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Kasarani Traffic Cop Assaulted by TUK Student Explains Why He Dropped the Case
