Matatu operators in Nairobi held demonstrations on Friday and blocked Ngong Road claiming one of them was allegedly tortured by police officers who were demanding for bribes.
The operators blocked the road for some hours to protest the arrest and purported torture of one Aaron Nyamira, a conductor by two plainclothes officers outside Prestige Plaza after he allegedly failed to give a bribe on Wednesday evening.
Nyamira said the officers pulled him out of a matatu and handcuffed him.
“When I asked them to identify themselves, one of them slapped me and produced a pair of handcuffs and their colleagues arrived in police vehicle. They then took me to Kibera Police Post where they assaulted me,” he said.
Nyamira said when the officers realised that he was not in good condition, they escorted him to the Kenyatta National Hospital where he was put on a drip before he was taken back to the cells on Thursday.
Kilimani Sub-county Police Commander Patricia Yegon said they were investigating the matter.
Paul Kariuki, the Chairman of Dagoretti-Ngong road sacco where Nyamira is conductor said the conductor was tortured during and after arrest.
Mass mobility Operators Secretary General Wilfred Bosire on his part said for some time now, police in plain clothes have been collecting bribes from matatus in the city.
“They collect bribes from matatus on this route from Sh100 to Sh300 without any reason, that is why we are not only calling for justice of the conductor who was tortured but also asking Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja to act swiftly,” he added
