Police in Mombasa’s Rabai sub-county have arrested a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) officer who stormed the Kambe Ribe police station to free his relative from custody.

The incident occurred after a suspect, Tyson Shabaki, was arrested for alleged assault. According to the official police report (OB number 9/27/4/2024), Christine Madiah, the officer commanding the station, stated that her officers had gone to the Magao area in Bondora police post to apprehend Shabaki.

Obstruction

The suspect’s family agreed to bring him to the post at 9:09 a.m, which they did. While at the post, Sergeant George Lenga, a KDF officer from the 6th Brigade in Garissa and a cousin to the suspect, along with his uncle Edwin Lenga from the Coast Water Development Authority, obstructed the officers’ attempt to place Shabaki in a cell.

The report further states that the KDF officer assaulted police constable William Omondi by twisting his right hand at the wrist joint and punching him in the chest with his fist.

“The family agreed to avail the suspect at the post at 09.09 hours, which they did. While at post one number 153659 Sergeant George Lenga who is a Kenya Defence officer of 6 brigade Garissa and a cousin to the suspect together with his uncle namely Edwin Lenga who works at Coast Water Development Authority obstructed police officers at the post from placing the said suspect in the cells,” reads part of the police report.

“They further broke the steel door and window pane to the report office letting the suspect escape from there. They turned to the complainant of the assault case who was also present, strangled and beat him at the report office,” the police report.

The incident led to a distress call from the duty officer, prompting additional officers to respond and arrest the duo, placing them in cells.

The case has since been handed over to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for further investigation.

Meanwhile, another KDF officer was recorded in a viral video assaulting a police officer at the busy Likoni ferry crossing in Mombasa.

In the video, the KDF officer is seen slapping a private security guard at the ferry before a general duty officer attempts to calm the situation. The KDF officer then attacks the police officer with several slaps and punches, while other armed KDF personnel surround the area.

KDF statement

Following this incident, the KDF issued a press release stating that investigations had begun to understand the circumstances leading to the altercation.

“This evening (Saturday) at the Likoni ferry, KDF soldiers were involved in a scuffle that has been circulated through various social media mediums. To establish the circumstances leading to the incident, military police and relevant agencies are handling the investigations of the matter,” the statement reads.