In a dramatic turn of events that reads like a scene from a high-stakes thriller, a young woman arrested for peddling illicit brew in Nairobi’s Kasarani area turned feral, sinking her teeth into a police officer’s leg in a brazen act of defiance.
Mirriam Ngendo found herself in court after confessing to both possessing and selling chang’aa, a potent, often lethal homemade alcohol that has claimed countless lives in Kenya, and assaulting Inspector of Police (I.P.) David Anunda while he was performing his duties.
The chaos unfolded on December 13, around 11:30 a.m., when patrolling officers stumbled upon a bustling den full of thirsty customers.
The moment the uniforms appeared, panic ripped through the crowd like wildfire. Patrons scattered in every direction, vanishing into the alleys and leaving Ngendo alone, exposed with her illicit stash; a 20-liter jerrycan brimming with chang’aa.
Cornered and out of options, she was swiftly arrested and marched to Kasarani Police Station for booking. But as officers prepared to lock her in a cell to await court, Ngendo launched a savage ambush.
She lunged at I.P. Anunda, clutching his shirt in a vise-like grip. Feigning submission, she dropped as if to kneel in plea, only to seize his right leg and bite down hard.
Her colleague sprang to the rescue, restraining the raging suspect before more damage could be done.
Anunda rushed to the hospital, where doctors classified the gruesome bite wound as “harm”—an injury that underscored the raw danger officers face daily.
Brought before the court, Ngendo wasted no time: she pleaded guilty to the charges. The magistrate scheduled a mention date to review the facts and decide her fate, leaving the courtroom buzzing with the echoes of this wild confrontation.
This incident highlights the fierce underground world of chang’aa trade, where desperation can erupt into violence in an instant.
Most of the officers on the front lines, have to enforce law while they stare at the jaws of defiance.
