Nineteen-year-old Ian Njoroge, who stands accused of assaulting a police officer along Kamiti Road, has publicly apologized to the people of Kenya.
The teenager, who faces charges of robbery with violence and causing grievous harm, expressed deep remorse for his actions in a statement made alongside former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and his parents.
Njoroge, who is currently out on bail, met with Sonko and his family at Sonko’s office to extend his apologies. The incident, which led to the injury of traffic officer Jacob Ogendo, has drawn significant public attention and criticism. During the meeting, Njoroge took the opportunity to express his regret and assured Kenyans that he has learned from his mistakes.
“I take this chance to offer my apologies to the state and Jacob Ogendo, the assaulted cop. I am sorry and it will never happen again. I am sorry.”
His parents also offered apologies on his behalf, acknowledging the severity of the incident and expressing gratitude for the support they received from Sonko.
“I want to thank Mike Sonko for coming in when we needed help the most,” Njoroge’s mother said, visibly emotional. His father echoed these sentiments, particularly extending apologies to the National Police Service.
Sonko, known for his philanthropic efforts, defended his decision to assist Njoroge, emphasizing the importance of compassion and mentorship over condemnation.
“Such things happen in life. You can have a child like Ian, he has made a mistake and he has apologized. As a leader, on behalf of this family and Ian, we apologize to the National Police Service and all officers in uniform. We say pole.”
He further announced plans for Njoroge to undergo mentorship and counseling to ensure he stays on the right path. “I will look for a counselor to speak to Ian before he goes back to school in September,” Sonko added, underscoring his commitment to Ian’s rehabilitation and future.
Njoroge’s release on a Sh700,000 bail last week came after Milimani Principal Magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi dismissed a prosecution request to have him detained. The prosecution had argued that releasing Njoroge posed a risk due to potential retaliation from other officers. However, Magistrate Ekhubi ruled that the claims were insufficient to warrant detention, noting the lack of evidence to support them.
