[PHOTO/nation.co.ke]
A long distance truck driver working with a Mombasa cargo company has revealed how his former employers stood watching as he was set ablaze.
Speaking at the Mariakani Law Courts, 39-year-old Isaac Njoroge said his colleagues set him ablaze after accusing him of stealing aluminium coils of cargo worth millions of shillings.
He told Senior Principal Magistrate Nathan Shiundu that he was arrested by P. N. Mashru staff and subjected to torture.
“On January 28, 2016, on my way to Port Reitz as I went looking for a job, I was stopped by a P N Mashru pick-up and those inside told me the boss wanted to talk to me. I saw Martin Makanda and Ali Kamtu inside who told me their boss needed me to settle some issues at their yard,” Njoroge told the Court as quoted by Nation.
On arrival, he was allegedly bound in ropes and a tire put on him.
“After being tied one of the men (Kamtu) poured thinner on my back and lit the fire,” he said.
Two video clips were presented as evidence for Njoroge's claims.
However, Defense Lawyer Michael Oloo on behalf of the company dismissed the videos during the witness cross-examination and argued that none of them showed Njoroge being burnt as the court heard.
Njoroge however maintained that the three former colleagues who allegedly tormented him were known to him very well after working with them for at least three years.
“There were many people who witnessed me set ablaze despite other workers being on lunch break. Shortly after I was set on fire, some of my colleagues used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire before I was taken to Mariakani Police station,” Njoroge revealed.
Njoroge who had earlier admitted to have quit his work station said he was forced to leave the company truck in Nairobi after being told of a ‘short’ in the cargo which he was transporting.
Mariakani Senior Principal Magistrate Nathan Shiundu adjourned the case till May 19.