This archive report was first published on 24 September 2019.
On September 24, 2019, a Kibera Law Court acquitted Mr. John Kinuthia, a Public Service Vehicle tout, of violating traffic rules.
Kinuthia was arrested along Waiyaki Way for allegedly not wearing his uniform while undertaking his duties as a tout, as required by law.
During the hearing of his case, Kinuthia pleaded not guilty and told the court that he had disagreed with the police officer over a different issue, not over the violation of his dress code.
Corporal Richard Otieno from the Kabete police station testified that Kinuthia violated the traffic laws by failing to put on the required uniform while at work on the Uthiru-City Centre route.
However, Kinuthia presented a photo of himself in his full uniform as evidence and explained to the court how he managed to take a selfie as the whole incident went on.
As the whole incident went on, I requested to talk to the driver and it is at this point I took a selfie with the driver's phone, Kinuthia said, pointing at the selfie.
Senior principal magistrate Esther Boke acquitted the accused, saying the prosecution had failed to prove that the accused was not wearing his uniform during his time of the arrest.
