Nairobi Lawyer Sues Police for Allegedly Taking Snacks from His Car During Arrest
Nairobi-based lawyer Soyinka Lempaa has taken the unusual step of moving to court following his arrest by police in Juja, accusing them of assault, damaging his car, and stealing snacks he had bought for his children.
Speaking to Newshub.co.ke, Lempaa said he was arrested on Saturday, November 15, after officers claimed he had overtaken another vehicle on an unmarked road.
He emphasized that he felt compelled to press charges against the officers, arguing that no law allows police to take someone’s personal property during an arrest.
In posts he shared on Facebook earlier, Lempaa described the events leading up to the arrest. He explained that police instructed him to drive into the station, but he passed the gate because he wanted to refuel his car first.
At that point, he alleged that one officer suddenly pulled the handbrake, almost causing a serious accident. Lempaa then questioned the validity of the traffic offense itself.
“Can a motorist be charged for overtaking on a road that is not tarmacked? What is the role of a driver—to drive safely or to measure unmarked roads?
If a magistrate visits the scene, could they even determine where the left lane starts and ends on a road with no markings?” Lempaa wrote.
The lawyer stated that he intends to take legal action against the officers for assault and the alleged theft of items valued at KSh 450.
He also claimed that police damaged his car, including breaking the windscreen, deflating three tyres, and bending the ignition key during the confrontation.
Did the Police Take Lempaa’s Snacks?
Lempaa further explained that after being released on a cash bail of KSh 10,000, he was told by officers that he could not retrieve his car keys until he paid towing fees.
When he requested a copy of the towing contract and the relevant state documentation, the police allegedly refused.
After leaving the station, Lempaa visited Sokoni Supermarket in Witeithie to obtain a receipt for the snacks he claimed the officers had taken.
The receipt, which Newshub.co.ke reviewed, showed he had purchased a 400ml apple juice, a six-pack of Queen cakes, a 500ml strawberry yoghurt, and a packing bag.
Lempaa is scheduled to appear in Thika Law Courts on Friday, November 21, to enter a plea in the case where he faces charges of resisting arrest and failing to follow verbal instructions from police.
“While the police quickly processed their case against me, including taking my fingerprints, they did not record that their colleagues had allegedly stolen yoghurt from my car.
On Friday, we will appear in court to deny all charges against me and to push for the processing of our cross-complaint against the police for assault, malicious damage to property, and theft,” he posted on social media.
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