A matatu driver accused of running over a traffic police officer and killing him on the spot has been charged with causing the death of a corporal contrary to the law.
Edward Njenga Njoroge, who had been detained for seven days pending investigations, was arraigned at the Milimani Law Courts and released on bail.
He pleaded not guilty to four counts of causing the death of corporal Peter Legetto Rerimoi by dangerous driving, failing to stop after an accident, failing to comply with the issuance of a license and driving an unroadworthy vehicle.
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Being the driver of a matatu, Njoroge is said to have driven the said motor vehicle dangerously along the Southern by-pass within Nairobi County whereby he knocked down Rerimoi and ran over him.
Njoroge was reportedly carrying unidentified plastics when he was flagged down by Rerimoi on January 28 at around 4 pm on the Southern by-pass.
According to Lang’ata OCPD Gregory Mutiso, the officer signaled the 14-seater matatu driver to stop and asked him to hand over his licence while holding onto the door handle.
The suspect allegedly refused to hand over the document and a tussle ensued, during which he engaged his gear and began to drive off.
Njoroge is said to have driven the matatu at 103km/hr while carrying plastic ware goods in contravention of the law.
This is despite the motor vehicle being under a road service licence issued by the National Transport and Safety Authority allowing him to drive the motor vehicle at a maximum speed of 80km/hr and carrying fare-paying passengers.
Njoroge denied all the charges preferred against him and sought lenient cash bail and bond terms.
Magistrate Martha Nanzushi released the accused person on an Sh600,000 bond with an alternative cash bail of Sh300,000.
The matter will be mentioned on February 20.
