Kenya Insights

Tag: assault

  • Activist Boniface Mwangi Alleges Police Brutality, Faces Assault Charges

    Activist Boniface Mwangi Alleges Police Brutality, Faces Assault Charges

    Renowned activist Boniface Mwangi has found himself at the center of a controversial case involving allegations of police brutality and what he describes as a miscarriage of justice.

    According to detailed accounts shared by Mwangi on social media, what began as a routine noise complaint response has escalated into a situation where the activist now faces criminal charges despite claiming to be the victim.

    Mwangi recounts that on April 2, 2025, around 9:30 pm, three police officers—Inspector Stanley Yano, Sergeant Osman Omar, and Constable Robert Ouko—arrived at his Sema Ukweli office citing a noise complaint.

    The situation allegedly deteriorated when Constable Ouko, whom Mwangi describes as “drunk and chewing miraa,” began physically confronting individuals present.

    “A scuffle ensued when I questioned why an intoxicated officer was on duty with a firearm,” Mwangi stated.

    He claims that during the altercation, Constable Ouko attempted to discharge his weapon but was prevented by one of Mwangi’s colleagues.

    The activist alleges he was subsequently handcuffed, dragged from his office, and assaulted in front of witnesses.

    According to Mwangi, the handcuffs caused injuries to his wrists before coming off during the struggle—handcuffs he claims his team recovered and still possesses as evidence.

    Mwangi states that after being detained at Kilimani Police Station, he received additional beatings from Constable Ouko inside the holding cell.

    He was later taken to Nairobi Hospital under police escort in the early hours of April 3rd after the station’s Officer Commanding Station (OCS), Albert Chebii, observed his condition.

    Medical examinations reportedly revealed no fractures but documented injuries to his wrists, knee, lip, ribs, and left eye.

    After treatment, Mwangi says he filed a formal assault report (OB No. 84/02/04/25) and was released on a Ksh 5,000 police bond. He also alleges his watch and AirPods were taken during the arrest and have not been returned.

    Charges Against the Activist

    In what Mwangi describes as a troubling turn of events, police filed charges of “offensive conduct and assault” against him at Kibera Law Court on April 7th while he was abroad on work-related travel to Brazil and Ghana.

    “I was assaulted by the police, physically injured, had my watch and AirPods stolen by them, and I’m the one being charged with a crime?” Mwangi wrote in his statement.

    Despite his attorney presenting evidence of his international travel commitments, the court reportedly issued an arrest warrant and rescheduled his plea hearing for April 22, 2025.

    Prior to departing Kenya, Mwangi filed a complaint with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), stating he did so because “you can never fully trust our police.”

    The case raises significant questions about police conduct, accountability, and the treatment of activists in Kenya. Mwangi, who has long been a vocal critic of police brutality and corruption, concluded his statement with a sobering observation: “I got my first black eye at the age of 41 at the hands of a drunk officer.”

    Police authorities have not yet issued a public response to Mwangi’s allegations. The case continues to develop as the activist prepares for his scheduled court appearance tomorrow.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

  • Rihanna Appears At A$AP Rocky’s Trial – Here’s What To Know About The Case

    Rihanna Appears At A$AP Rocky’s Trial – Here’s What To Know About The Case

    Pop star Rihanna was in a Los Angeles courtroom on Wednesday as her partner, rapper A$AP Rocky, continued his trial on assault charges.

    The singer, who shares two children with the rapper, sat in the court with A$AP Rocky’s family as the trial delved into allegations that he pulled a gun out on his former friend and opened fire multiple times.

    The trial started on Friday and will determine whether the rapper will face penalties on two charges of felony assault. He could face decades in prison.

    A$AP Rocky has pleaded not guilty to the charges and his lawyers have argued the weapon was a prop gun and his former friend is only after money.

    Here’s what you need to know about the case.

    What is A$AP Rocky charged with?

    A$AP Rocky’s assault trial began on 24 January in Los Angeles.

    The rapper, whose real name is Rakim Mayers, was charged with two felony assault charges relating to a 2021 shooting incident in Hollywood.

    Authorities allege A$AP Rocky and a former friend got into a heated discussion that turned violent and led to the rapper pulling out a gun and opening fire.

    Who is the accuser Terell Ephron?
    Terell Ephron, aka A$AP Relli, testifies during A$AP Rocky’s felony assault trial. Getty

    The victim in the case is fellow artist and childhood friend Terell Ephron, also known as A$AP Relli. He is the star witness for prosecutors

    They were both part of the A$AP Mob hip-hop collective and have known one another since their time together at a New York high school.

    Their relationship eroded over time as A$AP Rocky’s career took off and he became famous.

    It all led up to a disagreement between the pair in November 2021.

    Mr Ephron took the stand this week to describe their relationship and the moments of the alleged shooting.

    What is A$AP Rocky accused of doing?

    Authorities have said Mr Ephron met Mr Mayers on 6 November in 2021, a day after the pair got into a disagreement.

    They met outside a Hollywood hotel about a block from the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame.

    Prosecutors say when the pair met things got physical. Mr Mayers is then alleged to have whipped out a gun from his waistband and pointed it toward Mr Ephron, telling him “I’ll kill you right now”.

    Court documents outline that Mr Ephron told the rapper to fire the weapon, which Mr Mayers did not and instead started walking away.

    Mr Ephron followed behind and yelled at Mr Mayers about their disagreements, court documents show.

    That’s when prosecutors allege Mr Mayers pulled out the gun again and opened fire.

    Court documents allege multiple bullets were fired, one of which is alleged to have grazed Mr Ephron’s knuckles.

    Authorities say parts of the incident were captured on surveillance footage, including some footage that included audio of gunfire, although there is no video showing the shooting.

    Some of this footage has been played in court already for jurors.

    What is A$AP Rocky saying about the allegations?

    There are several key points of contention in the case: the weapon, police investigation and Mr Ephron’s injuries.

    The rapper’s lawyers have noted the weapon authorities say was the gun he pulled out was not usable – instead it was a prop weapon his security encouraged him to carry to ward off would-be attackers.

    His lawyers have also focused on Mr Ephron taking multiple days to report the incident to police, and how authorities found no trace of bullet casings or a shooting when they responded to the incident.

    Court documents detail that Mr Ephron returned to the scene later and gathered two shell casings he said he found in the area. He brought them when he reported the incident to police two days later.

    He also did not immediately go to hospital after the incident and instead sought medical treatment after flying back to New York.

    Could A$AP Rocky face prison time?

    Yes, the rapper could face up to 24 years in prison if found guilty in the trial, which is expected to go on for about three weeks.

    A panel of 12 jurors will decide his fate.

    Will Rihanna appear in court again?

    It’s unclear if Rihanna will continue appearing for the trial. Before the proceedings started, the rapper’s lawyer had told the court this week that Mr Mayers has tried to keep his family away from all of this.

    Media reports indicate that on Wednesday she sat between the rapper’s mother and sister in the courtroom. The couple’s two children did not appear.

    Rihanna’s presence sparked intense media and fan interest outside the courthouse, but she entered through a non-public entrance used by judges, and was already seated in the courtroom when media were allowed into the chamber.

    During jury selection, prosecutors questioned jurors about Rihanna and whether her connection to the case would affect their ability to deliver a fair verdict. While some described themselves as Rihanna fans, and many more had heard of Rihanna than A$AP Rocky, jurors said her presence in the courtroom would not influence their decision making.

    Rihanna’s presence did attract attention from jurors in a murder trial across the hall at the courthouse, with some commenting on her being so nearby.

    Rocky’s trial is being televised, but Rihanna sat out of view of the cameras in the courtroom.

    (BBC)

  • Diddy Admits To Beating Ex-Girlfriend Cassie, Says He’s Sorry

    Diddy Admits To Beating Ex-Girlfriend Cassie, Says He’s Sorry

    Sean “Diddy” Combs admitted that he beat his ex-girlfriend Cassie in a hotel hallway in 2016 after CNN released video of the attack, saying in a video apology he was “truly sorry” and his actions were “inexcusable.”

    “I take full responsibility for my actions in that video. I was disgusted then when I did it. I’m disgusted now,” the music mogul said in a video statement posted Sunday to Instagram and Facebook.

    The video aired Friday shows Combs, wearing only a white towel, punching and kicking Cassie, an R&B singer who was his protege and longtime girlfriend at the time. The footage also shows Combs shoving and dragging Cassie, and throwing a vase in her direction.

    Cassie, whose legal name is Cassandra Ventura, sued Combs in November over what she said was years of sexual, physical and emotional abuse. The suit was settled the next day, but spurred intense scrutiny of Combs, with several more lawsuits filed in the following months, along with a federal criminal sex-trafficking investigation that led authorities to raid Combs’ mansions in Los Angeles and Miami.

    He denied the allegations in the lawsuits, but neither he nor his representatives had responded to the newly emerged video until Sunday.

    “It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that,” Diddy says on the video. He adds, “I went and I sought out professional help. I got into going to therapy, going to rehab. I had to ask God for his mercy and grace. I’m so sorry. But I’m committed to be a better man each and every day. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m truly sorry.”

    Combs is looking somber and wearing a T-shirt in the selfie-style apology video, and appears to be on a patio. It is the hip-hop mogul’s most direct response after six months of allegations that have threatened his reputation and career. Previous statements have been released through his lawyers.

    The security camera video, dated March 5, 2016, closely resembles the description of an incident at an InterContinental Hotel in the Century City area of Los Angeles described in Ventura’ lawsuit.

    The suit alleges that Combs paid the hotel $50,000 for the security video immediately after the incident. Neither he or his representatives have addressed that specific allegation. CNN did not say how it obtained the footage.

    Combs is not in danger of being criminally prosecuted for the beating. The statutes of limitations for the assault and battery charges he would be likely to face expired years ago.

  • Dispute Over Food With Wife Lands PS In Trouble

    Dispute Over Food With Wife Lands PS In Trouble

    Devolution Principal Secretary Julius Korir is facing imminent suspension and criminal trial for allegedly assaulting his wife following a dispute involving food.

    This comes after the High Court dismissed his petition to stop the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) from proceeding with the trial in which he is accused of assaulting Ms Everlyne Chepkorir Koech on September 17, 2020 in Karen, Nairobi.

    Justice Anthony Mrima dismissed Mr Korir’s arguments that the criminal charges are meant to embarrass him and force him into surrendering 50 per cent of the matrimonial property.

    He also vacated a temporary order dated January 7, 2021 that had suspended the arrest, arraignment and the prosecution of Mr Korir.

    In the report booked by police and which the DPP produced in court, Ms Koech reported that her husband assaulted her after he demanded food and she told him what was available was only for the children. The report was registered at Karen Police Station vide 0B No. 02/18/09/20.

    She informed the police that after the assault, she went to Nairobi Hospital where she was treated and discharged. She produced the treatment notes and got issued with a Police Medical Examination Report (P3 Form). The form was filled the following day, indicating injuries on the thorax and abdomen and limbs.

    Police then obtained CCTV footage that captured the assault and a report from the Cybercrime Forensic Unit.

    A review of the footage showed the PS assaulting the wife, the DPP and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) informed the court while opposing Mr Korir’s petition. They told the court that the offence of assault causing actual bodily harm is covered in Section 251 of the Penal Code and anyone found guilty is liable to imprisonment for five years.

    Ms Koech informed the court that she had been physically abused by Mr Korir and denied any collusion with the DPP and DCI with a view to coerce the PS into a settlement.

     In his judgement, Justice Mrima said there was no proof that the criminal process is being used to coerce him to surrender one-half of the matrimonial property.

     Mr had said he was apprehensive that since the DPP and DCI are aware that once he takes plea he will be expected to step aside until the case is concluded, they would have assisted Ms Koech to bring him down.

  • How It Went Down, Ndichu Twins Assault Victims Narrates Their Ordeal

    How It Went Down, Ndichu Twins Assault Victims Narrates Their Ordeal

    In a blow to blow account of the fateful event of October 17, the two women in a viral video involving Edwin and Paul Ndichu have come out in public to narrate their ordeal while calling for justice.

    This includes how the Ndichu brothers at one point accepted to pay for the damages caused on a car belonging to the friend of one the victims, but shortly reversed the cash. It was Sh110,000.

    In the company of their lawyer Philip Murgor, the two ladies, Cheryl and Stephanie narrated of the drama turn violence, that started on the fateful night at 2.30am.

    They claimed it all started after one of the twin brothers made sexual advances towards Stephanie.

    “Aren’t you the husband of Janet Mbugua?” Stephanie is said to have asked.

    But Lawyer Murgor told Journalists that one of the ladies in the company of the Ndichu brothers shouted, “ex-husband.”

    Stephanie is said to have left the table at the city hotel, but as she was leaving, one of the brothers verbally attacked her.

    “Suddenly, the brother in dark clothes jumped onto Stephanie, and started choking her by grabbing her by the throat,” the lawyer said.

    At this point, her boyfriend identified as Samuel is said to have had intervened.

    “He was also grabbed by the throat,” Lawyer Murgor said.

    One of the brothers whom they couldn’t identify is said to have threatened them by “stating he had marked their faces.”

    But it was not over yet.

    As Stephanie and her boyfriend Samuel were getting the car, lawyer Murgor said one the Ndichu brothers attacked Cheryl and her friend Patrick.

    The two were waiting at the hotel’s lobby.

    “At the front entrance, the twin brother in dark clothes, violently broke the right hand door side mirror, while the other twin in white T-shirt, not to be left by his twin, violently broke the left hand door side mirror…” the lawyer who had been accompanied by Cheryl and Stephanie told a press conference in Nairobi.

    “During the incident, the brothers threatened to shoot them.”

    It took the intervention of the hotel’s security team and police, who were later called, to restore order.

    The incident was reported on October 17 at Akala police station.

    Lawyer Murgor said already P3 forms have been issued for the injuries.

    For justice to be delivered, the lawyer has asked Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai to assign a special team of investigators, to carry out the investigations and the file forwarded to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions for action.

    Both Eddy and Paul have denied the assault claims.

    They claimed Stephanie and Cheryl were fighting, when they intervened.

    The twin brothers have also lost an investor in their Wapi Pay firm.

    A woman who was with the Ndichu twins however later issued a statement terming the claims by the alleged two victim as false.

    Munira Hassan claims she was assaulted by the two women – Revealing a medical report documenting injuries she had sustained as a result.

    She added the twin brothers were trying to help her during the alleged assault.

    “As a result my hair was painfully plucked from my scalp… I was unconscious for a few seconds and left with bruises on my body and a bloody scar on my forehead as per the attached medical report,” she said.

    “The twins ran back in to help me in order to get rid of ‘this crazy lady’….she wouldn’t let go of my hair,”