Kenyan police have arrested a 19-year-old motorist who was filmed beating up a traffic policeman on a road in the capital Nairobi.
In a widely shared video, the man can be seen attacking the police officer with punches and kicks to the head, even after the officer falls to the ground.
The motorist fled after other people intervened to help the officer.
The shocking attack has led to a rare outpouring of sympathy for police, who have a reputation for brutality and bribery.
A police report shows the man was initially stopped after making a U-turn on a busy road, disrupting other motorists.
It said the traffic officer, Patrick Ogendo, got into the vehicle and instructed him to drive to a nearby police station.
On the way, the driver “suddenly stopped and pulled a sword under the seat.”
“The officer jumped out of the vehicle for his safety and the driver followed him with punches and kicks,” the statement said.
According to police, the driver also fled with the battery of a police phone.
The police officer received first aid at a nearby health center and was taken to a hospital for treatment.
An alleged accomplice of the suspect was arrested at the scene and a police team was mobilized to search for the man who carried out the attack, the statement said.
The attack has been widely condemned, with some describing it as unacceptable.
“How can you attack a uniformed police officer like this?” asked Robert Alai, a member of the Nairobi District Assembly.
“This is completely unacceptable. We cannot allow our uniformed police officers to be humiliated at this level,” said Mike Sonko, former governor of Nairobi.
The suspect was reportedly arrested later on Sunday evening at his home in the capital.
Nairobi traffic chief Vitalis Otieno told local media he would be charged with a number of crimes, including attempted murder.
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