A viral video has been going around social media of Njeri wa Muthoni, a lady who recorded the police officers assaulting another lady along Thika road.
The officers were forcing a lady passenger to alight from the vehicle, but Njeri wa Muthoni trooped in and defended her.
Njeri was arrested and held at Kasarani police station.
Her act of bravery made her a heroine among social media users who under the hashtag dubbed #releaseNjeri, social media users pressurised for the immediate release of Njeri as others went ahead to narrate their experiences with the police officers.
Hours later after the arrest, Njeri on her Twitter handle @sophie Njeri and on her Facebook timeline (Njoki wa Muthoni) said that she and other passengers had been accused of obstruction in the execution of duty and were released on a cash bail of Ksh10,000 each.
She is expected to appear in court on 8 February 2019, at 8.00am at Makadara Court.
"Come one come all. We will fight this till the end. United we stand, divided we fall. Thank you Kenyans. I'm truly humbled. See you all on Friday" she further posted.
Kenyans on social media expressed their admiration, support and encouragement to Njeri, the heroine of the day.
These were some of Kenyans reactions on social media under #releaseNjeri:
#ReleaseNjeri this is Ann Kariuki, the bully in the name of a police officer who noticed Njeri was recording the video and came for her, let it be known, we will not allow such people to harass the common mwananchi again...KENYA NI YETU..it doesn't belong to a few.
It’s not over till we see that all those charges of @njerisophie2 are dropped else we be told why and what crimes she committed. Pointing out the harassment by police is not inciting it like shouting “ that’s a thieve” when you spot one. We demand the charge sheet!#ReleaseNjeri.
We shall not rest till those ambiguous charges are dropped we know the law and we follow the law you’re well within your limits they are just intimidating Kenyans for doing the right things #ReleaseNjeri shall be alive until the charges are dropped. Pass the word to all Kenyans.
How did she obstruct extrusion of duty now? Shouldn't it be filming police officers if that is a crime?. I thought @JBoinnet gave Kenyans the right to take videos for evidence in order to help him deal with those who are manhandling civilians or taking bribes. #ReleaseNjeri.
#hivisasaoriginal