A man filmed chasing police officers with a panga during a protest in Nakuru has been charged in court. The video, which quickly spread across social media, showed a lone man charging at armed officers amid public outcry over a police shooting in London Estate.
Paul Mriti, who also goes by the alias Hassan Mti Mkavu, appeared before Principal Magistrate Kipkurui Kibelion at the Nakuru Law Courts on Tuesday. He faces four criminal charges, all linked to public unrest and obstructing law enforcement.
The prosecution accused Mr Mriti of disturbing the peace and threatening police officers with a machete locally known as a panga on June 11 during a protest in Nakuru West Sub-County.
“He shouted aggressively and waved a panga at our officers,” said a prosecutor in court, naming Constable Charles Francis and Corporal Kambo as the complainants. “This action interfered with their ability to carry out lawful duty.”
Mr Mriti also faces charges for taking part in an unlawful demonstration and being armed in public without a valid reason. The panga allegedly used in the confrontation was presented in court as evidence.
The unrest followed the fatal police shooting of a local resident—an incident that triggered tension and prompted spontaneous protests. Authorities have since suspended ten police officers as investigations into the shooting continue.
Mr Mriti, who was arrested a day after the protests, denied all the charges. His lawyer argued that the arrest was reactionary and that his client was being targeted because of the viral nature of the video.
Magistrate Kibelion granted him bond of Sh100,000, with an option of a Sh50,000 cash bail.
The case will be mentioned again on July 1.
The events in Nakuru come as Kenya continues to grapple with questions of police accountability, public protest, and the role of citizen action in demanding justice. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has opened an inquiry into the initial shooting, but the tension remains.
As one London Estate resident put it: “People are angry. They want justice, not just arrests after the fact.”
