Two nurses, Jonah Kipsiror Marori and Ephraim Mwaura Karumbi, were charged in court on Monday for allegedly attacking three police officers with acid during a raid at their private clinic in Ngara.
The incident, which took place on November 25, 2024, resulted in severe chemical burns for the officers. During their appearance before Milimani Chief Magistrate Benmark Ekhubi, Marori and Mwaura faced six charges, including causing grievous harm and operating an unlicensed private pharmacy. Marori specifically was accused of splashing a chemical substance on Police Constables Tom Mbuku, Joyce Otieno, and Moses Lelei.
The court heard that the officers were investigating claims of illegal activities at Marori’s Ngara Road Medical Centre, which included allegations of procuring abortions and possessing suspected poisonous drugs. According to the investigating officer Deten Saidimu, the police were patrolling when they received tips regarding the clinic’s operations. Upon arriving and knocking on the door, Marori purportedly threw acid at the officers, inflicting significant burns on their faces, hands, and lower limbs.
The officers, now admitted to the High Dependency Unit at a city hospital, raised an alarm that prompted reinforcements from Pangani Police Station. Items resembling human organs were reportedly confiscated from the clinic and sent for analysis at the government chemist. The prosecution is awaiting results from this analysis, which may lead to further charges against the defendants.
Both Marori and Mwaura have denied the allegations and sought leniency in their bond terms or cash bail. State prosecutor Virginia Kariuki opposed their release, citing the officers’ critical condition and emphasizing the broader public interest. She lamented the gravity of the assault on officers executing their official responsibilities and expressed concerns about their safety within the National Police Service.
Magistrate Ekhubi set bond terms at Sh600,000 for Marori, requiring a surety of the same amount, while Mwaura was granted a bond of Sh300,000 or a cash bail option of Sh200,000. A pretrial mention for the case is scheduled for January 20, 2024.
