A man who has been extorting Thika residents posing as a police officer was on Saturday saved by a hairs breadth as irate residents bated for his blood.
The suspect, John Nyaachi , has been impersonating a police officer and extorting Gatuanyaga residents especially boda boda operators.
He has been posing as an officer attached to Munyu Police Station.
He was cornered by angry residents at Ngurai shopping centre while trying to extort a boda boda operator.
“He was nearly lynched by angry residents who were baying for his blood, I had to save him,” Gatuanyaga Community Policing Chair Stephen Kiarie said according to the Star.
Lucas Wamwea, said at one point, Nyaachi threatened to arrest him for talking over the phone while riding because he was ferrying a police officer.
“At times he claimed to be working with National Environment Management Authority and would pounce hard on traders using plastic bags.”
Besides disguising as a police officer, he has also been posing as an officer working with the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA).
“At times he claimed to be working with National Environment Management Authority and would pounce hard on traders using plastic bags,” Kiarie added.
A snacks vendor, Richard Sawanda identified the fake as the cop person who extorted Sh2, 000 for packing mandazi’s in a polythene bag.
“He presented himself to me as a NEMA official and chained me for using polythene bags in my business. He was demanding Sh5,000 to free me. I gave him the money I had and he left.”
Thika East police boss Julius Kyumbule had a hard time as he tried to calm down the irate residents.
He promised to have the matter investigated thoroughly.
“We will get to the bottom of this matter and anyone one involved in it will be punished accordingly,” said the OCPD.