Police break silence after woman with Ruto’s tattoo is doused in petrol
By Emmanuel Rono, May 17, 2026The National Police Service (NPS) has condemned a series of violent incidents reported in Nairobi, including a petrol attack on a woman in Mwiki and two separate assaults on traffic officers in Embakasi and Lang’ata.
In a statement on Sunday, May 17, 2026, the NPS said the most serious incident occurred on May 16, 2026, in Mwiki, Kasarani Sub-county, where a woman is currently fighting for her life at the Kenyatta National Hospital after being attacked and set on fire by assailants who the NPS said doused her with petrol.
The woman in question had tattooed President William Ruto’s face on her shoulder.
According to preliminary investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the attack may have been motivated by the victim’s political views, which reportedly angered her attackers. A specialised DCI team has since taken over the probe.
“In the first incident, which occurred yesterday, 16th May 2026, in the Mwiki area of Kasarani Sub-county, a woman is fighting for her life at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) after being doused with what is believed to be petrol and set alight,”
“Preliminary investigations suggest that the attack was linked to the woman’s political views, which allegedly displeased her attackers. The matter is being investigated by a specialised team from the DCI Headquarters,” NPS said in a report.
Assault of traffic police
In a second incident, a video circulating on social media showed a motorist physically assaulting a traffic police officer on duty in the Embakasi area. The person of interest has since been identified, and police say due process is underway.
In a third case in Lang’ata, crew members of a shuttle bus were arrested after attacking a traffic officer who was enforcing road regulations. The bus was also impounded following the incident.
“The second incident involves a video circulating widely on social media, showing a motorist confronting and physically assaulting a traffic police officer on duty in the Embakasi area. The motorist has been identified, and due process is underway,” NPS noted.
Political intolerance
The police service has added that political intolerance has no place in competitive politics.
“Such attacks are an assault on our collective freedom. The Service will not hesitate to take firm and appropriate lawful action against anyone who undermines police authority or attempts to impede officers in the discharge of their duties,” NPS said.