A man who allegedly presented himself to a Nairobi businessman as a police officer has been charged with impersonating a police officer contrary to section 101 (b) of the National Police Service Act.

Mr Felix Odhiambo Ohuru, admitted guilt to charges of impersonation after he attempted to extort a businessman by demanding his business permits.

The court heard that he pretended to be a police officer contrary to Section 101(1)(b) of the National Police Service (NPS) Act after allegedly arresting Dancun Kyalo Nzau near TAJ Mall area in Embakasi on August 31, 2024.

"At the TAJ Mall area in Embakasi sub-county, did you, together with another person not before the court, not being a police officer and without the authority of the Inspector General of Police, impersonate a police officer for the purpose of demanding a business licence, in possession of a pair of handcuffs and demanding the arrest of a member of the public," reads part of the charges against Mr Ohuru.

Mr Ohuru was charged with impersonating a police officer, knowing that he did not have the authority to act in the capacity of a police officer.

According to court documents, he confronted Mr Nzau while the latter was on his way to a petrol station to refill his cylinders.

Mr Nzau was stopped by two(2) men, including Mr Ohuru, who threatened to arrest him if he did not produce a license for the business while introducing themselves as police officers.

The two(2) men produced a pair of handcuffs for Mr Ohuru to use to arrest Mr Nzau.

The businessman asked the two(2) men to accompany him back to his company, but when they arrived they were unable to provide satisfactory identification. Public suspicion arose and the men were detained for questioning.

When they were searched and found to be in possession of handcuffs, they were reported to the police. Neither could produce a certificate of appointment from the National Police Service (NPS).

Before the police arrived, Mr Ohuru's accomplice fled, leaving him behind. The police then arrested him.

During interrogation, Mr Ohuru revealed that his accomplice, who had escaped, was the owner of the handcuffs.

He pleaded guilty before Makadara Principal Magistrate Eric Mutunga. 

He was remanded in custody until September 10, 2024, when the court will receive the prosecution's evidence and exhibits in the case against him before sentencing him.

He had faced similar charges in January 2023 and pleaded guilty before former Makadara Chief Magistrate Francis Kyambia on January 12.

This was after he was arrested at Winners Chapel, a popular church on Nairobi's Likoni Road, where he had presented himself as a senior police officer with the rank of Superintendent of Police.