Katana Shadrack Kambi appearing before Malindi Principal Magistrate Nancy Makau on September 9, 2026. Photo by Ben Okweingoti. 
By Ben Okweingoti.
A man caused laughter at a Malindi law court in Kilifi County after launching into an animated explanation of why he allegedly head-butted a police officer.
Katana Shadrack Kambi appeared before Malindi Principal Magistrate Nancy Makau, where his plea-taking was briefly disrupted after he engaged in an argument with a court clerk who was reading the charges against him.
Kambi is accused of assaulting Police Constable Iddris Athman Nyakundi at Gede Police Station on September 3, 2026, while the officer was reportedly carrying out his official duties.
The prosecution alleges that Kambi willfully and unlawfully assaulted the officer using a head-butt, occasioning him actual bodily harm.
However, rather than responding directly to the charges, Kambi launched into an explanation of what he claimed had led to the confrontation.
Efforts by the prosecution to address the accused appeared to fall on deaf ears as he continued explaining his side of the story to the court.
Kambi told the court that he had been arrested without justification and claimed that he head-butted the officer while attempting to defend himself.
The unusual exchange prompted the court to interrupt the plea-taking proceedings.
Principal Magistrate Nancy Makau subsequently ordered that Kambi undergo a mental assessment before being returned to court.
He was remanded at Malindi GK Prison pending further proceedings and plea-taking.
