Police arrest UN employee accused of beating his ex-lover. (See Pics)

A UN employee accused of beating and causing bodily harm to his former lover has been arrested by police in Kasarani. Alphonse Kambu was arrested at Garden Estate at 9.30am, moments after he dropped off a child at school, Kasarani OCPD Robinson Mboloi confirmed. Mr Mboloi said police had been on the trail of Mr Kambu, a Papua New Guinea citizen, since the woman was hospitalised after he allegedly beat her. “We are currently questioning him and we have scheduled to arraign him in court on Thursday to answer to assault charges,” Mr Mboloi said.

                               

Mr Kambu is alleged to have assaulted his former girlfriend, identified as Ms Ruth Gakii, at her house on Kamiti Road on October 18 before going on the run. He sparked outrage online after pictures of the victim were shared widely on social media. She had been admitted to Nairobi Women’s Hospital after the alleged assault. Ms Gakii alleged that Mr Kambu assaulted her after he dropped off their son at home while intoxicated and demanded food. She reported the assault at the Kiamumbi Police Station.

                              

The two separated in 2012 after the birth of their son and an earlier court ruling awarded Ms Gakii full custody of the child. It was further learnt that the suspect picked up the child from Ms Gakii’s house after she was hospitalised and kept him in an undisclosed place. At the height of the social media outrage concerning the assault, Mr Kambu’s employer, Unep, promised to cooperate with the Kenyan authorities and stated that the employee “acted out of official duty” and was not entitled to diplomatic immunity. The UN agency stated in a press statement that Mr Kambu was indeed its employee working as a legal officer in the Division of Environmental Law and Conventions.

“United Nations staff members enjoy immunity from legal process only in respect of words spoken or written, and of acts performed by them in their official capacity. “Without prejudice to the privileges and immunities accorded to the United Nations and its staff members, it is the duty of all persons enjoying such privileges and immunities to respect local laws,” read the statement from Unep. It further stated: “Staff members are required to uphold and respect the principles set out in the Charter of the United Nations, including faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women.