A motorcycle taxi operator’s quest for justice takes a shocking turn when he discovers his attackers wearing police uniforms at the very station where he reported the crime
NAKURU – What began as a routine late-night fare for David Ng’ang’a, a 37-year-old boda boda rider in Nakuru, turned into a harrowing ordeal that has exposed disturbing questions about police conduct and the safety of those who serve the public.
On the evening of June 13, Ng’ang’a was operating from Nakuru town when a middle-aged man, appearing intoxicated, emerged from a nightclub around 8:15 PM.
The client requested transportation to Milimani to collect luggage, promising a return trip to town for Sh200 – a typical fare that seemed routine to the experienced rider.
“I trusted him because of his age and the elderly voice of the person on the phone,” Ng’ang’a explained during an interview.
“At night, we avoid young men as they are more likely to rob us. I had no idea that I was the luggage they were planning to collect.”
The Attack
Upon reaching the Milimani destination, what appeared to be a simple pickup transformed into a nightmare.
The client was met by accomplices who had been lying in wait near an unfinished construction site.
“The man I had ferried suddenly grabbed me and began strangling me. Another man emerged from the bushes wielding a panga, and they dragged me into nearby bushes,” Ng’ang’a recounted, his voice still bearing traces of the trauma.
The three attackers bound his hands and legs, covered his mouth, and subjected him to a brutal assault.
During the attack, one of the men callously ordered the others to kill him, but Ng’ang’a pleaded for his life.
The criminals made off with his motorcycle – his sole source of income – his mobile phone, and the modest Sh50 he had earned that evening.
Left tied up and abandoned, Ng’ang’a managed to free himself after an hour of struggle.
A Good Samaritan at a nearby homestead helped untie his remaining bonds and provided Sh200 for transport fare.
Police officers he encountered directed him to Milimani Police Base, who then referred him to Nakuru Central Police Station.
The Shocking Discovery
What awaited Ng’ang’a at the Central Police Station on June 16, when he returned to follow up on his case (recorded as OB number 70/14/6/2025), defied belief.
Standing at the reporting desk was one of his attackers – the very man who had ordered his execution just days earlier.
“I recognized his face and teeth immediately,” Ng’ang’a said. “He refused to serve me and claimed he was an officer from the Teachers Police Station before leaving in a police vehicle.”
The nightmare deepened when moments later, the original client – the man who had lured him to Milimani – appeared at the station, still wearing the same jacket from the night of the attack.
Ng’ang’a later learned that both suspects were officers stationed at the Central Police Station itself.
“I remained calm and didn’t raise an alarm. I just wanted to tell the OCS what happened, but he keeps pushing me away and won’t listen,” a frustrated Ng’ang’a explained.
A Family’s Livelihood Destroyed
The impact of this crime extends far beyond the immediate trauma. Ng’ang’a, who had acquired his motorcycle on loan in October 2022, had just completed payments totaling Sh275,000 in February.
For two years, he had operated night shifts because he couldn’t afford the fees for a daytime stage.
“Now I’ve lost everything. My family depended on that bike for food, rent, and school fees,” he said, the weight of his family’s uncertain future evident in his voice.
His wife, Wangui Ng’ang’a, described the shock of seeing her husband return home at 6 AM without his motorcycle.
“Since Friday, life has been tough because that bike was our lifeline. The same officers who should protect us are the ones who robbed us. We don’t even feel safe enough to name names. What if they come for him to silence him?”
Nakuru County Police Commander Michael Mwaura has confirmed that a robbery with violence report was filed and promised a thorough investigation.
“We have launched investigations to identify the mastermind. If any officer is found culpable, the law will take its course,” Mwaura stated during a media briefing on Thursday.
He further assured that internal disciplinary mechanisms would be activated if officers were found guilty, and that the complainant’s security would be guaranteed around the clock.
“If, during the course of investigation, it is established that any member of the service has been involved, an internal disciplinary mechanism will be taken. At the same time, he’ll face the full force of the law. And for the case of the security of the complainant, let me take this opportunity to assure him that his security will be guaranteed 24/7,” the police commander emphasized.
A Pattern of Concern
This incident occurs against a backdrop of growing concerns about police conduct in Kenya.
The case comes as investigations continue into other controversial incidents, including the death of protester Albert Ojwang, raising broader questions about accountability within law enforcement agencies.
For Ng’ang’a, who now fears for his safety after identifying his attackers, the incident represents not just a personal tragedy but a betrayal of the public trust that police officers are sworn to uphold.
“I identified two out of the three attackers. I told my colleagues what happened, and now I fear for my life. These men might come after me to protect their jobs,” he said, highlighting the precarious position he now finds himself in.
