DPP directs prosecution of businessman accused of assault and illegal detention of car in Nairobi
DPP directs prosecution of businessman accused of assault and illegal detention of car in Nairobi
Police officers at the Muthaiga Police Station in Nairobi are on the spot for failing to arrest a businessman accused of assault and unlawful detention of a car.
Despite the Office Directorate of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) recommending that Aloise Kinyanjui Kuria and his employees be charged for attacking and unlawfully detaining Anthony Kariuki Theuri, no action has been taken against the businessman said to be the brother of an influential Kiambu politician.
Both Kinyanjui and Kariuki are businessmen with the former contracting the latter on several occasions to make doors for some of his construction projects.
They fell apart on September 17, 2025 after Kinyanjui instructed his employees to detain Kariuki’s car.
On that fateful day, Kariuki had at around 5am to Kinyanjui’s Parkside Muthaiga home ahead of a site visit in Kericho County.
“He had told me the previous day that we will be heading to Kericho, and that I should be at his residence early enough so that we use one vehicle,” says Kariuki.
On arrival at Kinyanjui’s home, Kariuki claims he was shocked when the businessman ordered the employees to deflate tyres of his Volkswagen Amarok vehicle.
“Fearing for my safety, I locked myself in the car and made desperate calls for help, including a direct call to the Muthaiga Police Station, although officers eventually responded securing my rescue, they failed to arrest Kinyanjui,” says Kariuki.
Through his lawyer, Kariuki, pressed for action to be taken against Kinyanjui for the illegal detention, theft and malicious damage of his vehicle.
“Matters worsened when our client later on the same day reported to Muthaiga Police Station to record a statement, only to be informed your office that the matter would not be pursued because the suspect is politically connected,” says lawyer Anne Githogori in a letter to the OCS Esther Wangare.
When contacted, Kinyanjui who also lodged a counter-complaint at the same station is accusing Kariuki of lying and being economic with the truth.
“He knows he is lying, I never assaulted him; all I want is my money for failing to deliver on what he was supposed to do,” said Kinyanjui admitting that he was detaining Kariuki’s car.
According to the businessman, they agreed that he holds the car, until when Kariuki will refund the money for undelivered doors. “Yes, I have the car and we had initially agreed that he brings the logbook but instead rushed to the police where he made falsehoods,” added Kinyanjui.
Though Kinyanjui claims the ODPP is reviewing the file, Eric Mutua, the principal prosecution counsel has recommended action be taken against him.
“I have perused the above mentioned file, reviewed both medical reports and statements of both complainant and his witnesses, and I find that there is enough evidence to have the said Aloise Kinyanjui together with four mentioned gentlemen be charged with the offence of robbery with violence as the evidence shows that he was assaulted and his motor vehicle taken away from him without his consent,” stated Mutua.
Lawyer Githogori says the continued failure by the OCS to execute lawful directions of the ODPP amounts to a deliberate obstruction of justice.
“By shielding the said suspect from arrest and arraignment, your office undermines public confidence in law enforcement and portrays an image of selective justice where political or personal considerations override due process,” Githogori wrote back to the station commander on September 30, 2025.
When reached by The Standard, the OCS charged: “I don’t discuss matters on the phone,” before hanging up.
Kariuki says he fears for his safety and wants police to take action, claiming without his car, and laptop that was in the detained vehicle, he has missed good business opportunities.,
“I don’t feel safe anymore after he (Kinyanjui) threatened to harm me. I was told by some police officers that the man is untouchable, so I am left wondering whether the law is for the lesser citizens in society,” he complained.
Kinyanjui claims Kariuki owns him Sh1.5 million – an allegation the latter dismisses as false insisting he is the one to be paid for works done and door deliveries at Bomet University.
In letter by his lawyer Geoffrey Omenke, the businessman denies coercing or threatening Kariuki.
“The said Anthony Theuri had been paid to deliver some items to Bomet University and was paid Sh1,500,000 but failed to do so, and upon being asked to refund the money, he requested our client to on to the vehicle as he looks around for funds in order to reimburse the same,” said Omenke.