Two nurses charged with acid attack on police officers during Ngara raid
Police officers raided Ngara Road Medical Centre as part of a crackdown on unregistered clinics allegedly involved in illegal abortions.
Two nurses accused of attacking police officers with acid during a raid on an unregistered clinic in Ngara, Nairobi County, have been charged with causing grievous harm.
Jonah Kipsiror Marori and Ephraim Mwaura Karumbi appeared before Milimani Chief Magistrate Benmark Ekhubi on Monday to face six counts, including operating a private pharmacy without a license.
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The charges stem from an incident on November 25, 2024, when police officers raided Ngara Road Medical Centre as part of a crackdown on unregistered clinics allegedly involved in illegal abortions.
During the operation, the two nurses reportedly splashed acid on police officers Tom Mbuku, Joyce Otieno, and Moses Lelei, causing severe injuries.
According to investigation officer Deten Saidimu, the nurses attacked the officers as soon as they knocked on the clinic's door.
"Marori appeared at the door and, without any hesitation, lased the officers with acid, splashing it on their bodies and clothes, causing severe chemical burns on their faces, hands, and lower limbs," he told the court.
First-degree burns
The injured officers were rushed to a city hospital, where they were admitted to the High Dependency Unit. Two of them are reported to have first-degree burns.
During the raid, police recovered several items from the clinic, including "substances resembling human organs," which have been sent to the government chemist for analysis.
The nurses were also charged with possession of suspected poison and operating an unlicensed medical facility.
Both accused denied the charges and pleaded for leniency, with Mwaura highlighting his age (61) and his contribution to the government through taxes. They sought release on lenient bond terms or cash bail.
State Prosecutor Virginia Kariuki opposed their release, citing the severity of the attack and the critical condition of the injured officers.
"These officers were on their duty when they were attacked. This kind of conduct has caused the National Police Service to question their safety. Consider this matter as of great public interest," she said.
Kariuki detailed the officers' injuries, confirming that two had first-degree burns, and argued that the nature of the assault warranted strict measures.
She urged the court to consider the implications of the attack on law enforcement.
In his ruling, Magistrate Ekhubi set bail at Sh600,000 with one surety of a similar amount for Marori, while Mwaura was released on a bond of Sh300,000 or an alternative cash bail of Sh200,000.
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