University student who went viral for assaulting police officer set free after forgiveness
Police officer Jacob Ogendo, a former bodyguard of ex-Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, told senior principal magistrate Benmark Ekhubi that he had forgiven Njoroge.
A court in Nairobi has dropped the charges against Ian Njoroge, a university student who went viral last year for assaulting a police officer after the complainant withdrew the case.
Police officer Jacob Ogendo, a former bodyguard of ex-Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, told senior principal magistrate Benmark Ekhubi that he had forgiven Njoroge, leading to the withdrawal of charges under Section 204 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
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“I am also a parent. I have forgiven the accused,” Ogendo told the court.
Njoroge, a student at the Technical University of Kenya, had been charged with robbery with violence and assault following an incident along Kamiti Road in June 2024. A video of him attacking Ogendo went viral, sparking widespread debate.
Last year, after being released on a Sh700,000 bail, Njoroge apologised to Kenyans and Ogendo, saying he regretted his actions.
“I take this chance to offer my apologies to the state and Jacob Ogendo. I am sorry, and it will never happen again,” he said.
His parents also expressed remorse, with his mother thanking Sonko for helping secure his release.
“To you Mike Sonko, thank you again for coming in when I needed that help the most,” she said.
His father also apologised, particularly to the police force.
Sonko defended his intervention, saying, “Such things happen in life. You can have a child like Ian, he has made a mistake, and he has apologised. As a leader, on behalf of this family, and on behalf of Ian, we apologise to the National Police Service and all the officers in uniform. We are saying pole.”
He also announced plans for Njoroge to undergo mentorship, saying, “I will look for a counsellor to speak to Ian before he goes back to school in September.”
The case had initially drawn significant public interest, with the prosecution opposing Njoroge’s bail on the grounds that other officers might seek revenge. However, the court dismissed this argument, ruling that the robbery with violence charge against him was unconstitutional.
“The allegations that Ian Njoroge should not be released on bail and or bond because he is a flight risk is plausible since it is not supported by any evidence,” the magistrate ruled.
With the case now withdrawn, Njoroge has been freed.
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