Ian Njoroge has been arraigned at Milimani Law Court following a viral video depicting his assault of a police officer in Mirema.

The 19-year-old faces three charges: robbery with violence, grievous harm, and resisting arrest.

For an offence to qualify as robbery there must be intent to deprive the victim of their property permanently. Robbery is distinguished from larceny in the sense that theft involves the use of intimidation and force.

Violence must be part of the theft for an offence to be considered robbery. If a person uses violence after the theft while escaping from law enforcers, this may not be deemed as robbery.

Penal Code provides that anyone convicted of the offence of causing grievous harm is liable to life imprisonment. Conviction for the offence attracts not less than 10 years, depending on the degree of the injuries caused.

Resisting arrest comes in after Njoroge fled the scene. Even if multiple officers were involved in trying to arrest you, you can only be charged with one count of resisting arrest. Resisting arrest makes one liable on conviction to imprisonment for a term not exceeding three years.

Court documents allege that on June 2nd, 2024, on Kamiti Road in Kasarani, Njoroge stole a police communication device (battery) and a Samsung Galaxy Note phone valued at KSh 50,000 from Corporal Jacob Ogendo. The charge sheet further alleges that Njoroge inflicted injuries on the officer during the incident or immediately before or after the theft.

Njoroge’s lawyer, Duncan Okoth, has requested bail, citing his client’s status as a student. Citizen TV reports that Njoroge will also face charges in a traffic court alongside these criminal offenses.

Njoroge was apprehended at his residence in Nairobi’s Jacaranda area on the evening of Sunday, June 2nd.

This case remains ongoing, and further updates will be provided as they become available.