Soyinka Lempaa, a well-known city lawyer, says what began as a routine traffic stop turned into a nightmarish ordeal that left him bruised, his car damaged, and his children’s food stolen.
The incident at Juja Police Station has ignited a storm of outrage, raising questions about police conduct, accountability, and the rights of ordinary citizens.
In a detailed recount shared on social media, Lempaa described being handcuffed by ten police officers and dragged to the station reporting desk. “They scored a goal by slapping me and saying, ‘Unavuta bangi,’ very early in the match,” he wrote, referring to the moment a traffic officer accused him of smoking cannabis. “I couldn’t fight back because I was in handcuffs. They insinuated I am a criminal for no reason.”
Lempaa explained that he tried to respond with wit, recalling a public exchange between political leaders. His answer, however, triggered a violent reaction. “I couldn’t tell him about mothers, because mothers are supreme. But his slap on my jaw was meant to intimidate,” he said.
The physical assault was compounded by what Lempaa described as theft and administrative obstruction. Officers allegedly removed food items—yoghurt, apple juice, and cupcakes—from his car, purchased for his children. Thanks to receipts retrieved with the help of Sokoni Supermarket in Witeithie, Lempaa plans to challenge the alleged theft in court.
The lawyer also condemned the police for refusing to issue an occurrence book (OB) number, which is crucial for lodging formal complaints and prosecuting misconduct. “A police station must serve all without discrimination. We shall continue knocking at the doors of justice until our fingers get blisters. That OB will have to be given!” he said.
The circumstances of Lempaa’s stop also raised legal questions. He asked whether a motorist could be charged for overlapping lanes on roads that are unmarked or untarmacked, pointing to the difficulty of proving traffic offenses in ambiguous conditions. “The standard of proof in criminal liability is beyond reasonable doubt,” Lempaa emphasized.
Support from colleagues and citizens was swift. He publicly thanked Dr. Eugene for emergency medical treatment, and peers including Lerionka Lempaa, Victor Leiyan, Kinyua Wa Machina, and Kiptoo Erick. Many voiced solidarity against systemic police abuse, highlighting a growing public demand for accountability.
Legal commentators noted the broader implications of the case. Jeff Kipyego Ndiema suggested that proving theft by police officers might be challenging, but stressed that it is essential to hold law enforcement accountable. The case also underscores concerns about police-authorized towing services, which experts say must follow proper procurement procedures and generate official invoices to prevent exploitation of motorists.
“This is not just my battle; it is a fight for every Kenyan who has ever felt powerless before the law,” Lempaa said. His determination has resonated with citizens, lawyers, and activists, framing the episode as emblematic of wider frustrations with the National Police Service.
Following his release, Lempaa’s car was returned with repairs made to deflated tires, but he remains focused on seeking justice. “We are on it,” he said, referring to ongoing efforts to compel the Juja Police Station to issue the OB number and address the alleged assault and theft.
The Juja incident has sparked debate on the limits of police power and the rights of citizens. While law enforcement maintains that officers act within the law, cases like Lempaa’s reveal tensions between official authority and public trust.
For Lempaa, the episode is a stark reminder of the fragility of citizens’ rights and the need for constant vigilance. “Vive Le General, Vive l’esprit de la revolution! Wanikome!” he wrote on social media, underscoring his resolve to pursue justice, regardless of the obstacles ahead.
As he prepares legal filings to confront the station and its officers, Soyinka Lempaa has transformed a personal grievance into a public campaign for accountability—one that could set a precedent for how the law protects citizens against abuse by those sworn to enforce it.
