NAIROBI, Kenya — Nandi Senator Samson Kiprotich Cherargei has criticised the National Police Service (NPS) and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) for what he described as a public relations response to the assault of young men by police officers at a pool hall in Nandi Hills, Nandi County.
The backlash follows an announcement on 31 January 2026 that six senior police officers would face administrative sanctions after violent footage from a 10 January 2026 incident went viral online.
The attack, captured on CCTV, shows uniformed officers entering a recreational venue, ordering the young men to lie face down and physically assaulting some of them with batons and other implements.
Bwana IG kanja Administrative action cannot be taken on criminal actions as per the law. This is pure public relations exercise for Kenyans to forget.The canning and brutalization of young men playing Pool game at Nandi hills Town, Nandi county are criminal actions worth
Cherargei Calls for Arrests and Prosecution
In a statement responding to the police action, Cherargei said the disciplinary measures are inadequate, insisting that the police conduct amounted to criminal actions that require arrests and prosecution rather than internal administrative sanctions.
“Administrative action cannot be taken on criminal actions as per the law. This is a pure public relations exercise for Kenyans to forget,” Cherargei said.
He argued that the officers involved, as well as their superiors who failed in supervision, should be immediately arrested and prosecuted under criminal law.
The senator further criticised the IPOA, saying its handling of the matter has failed to address the trauma suffered by the victims, who have sought medical care following the assault.
“To IPOA, we do not expect these shenanigans of public relations exercise while the victims continue to experience trauma and undergo medical recovery,” he said.
PRESS STATEMENT : NPS TAKES ACTION AGAINST SENIOR OFFICERS FOLLOWING NANDI HILLS INCIDENT
What Police Have Said
The NPS has maintained that it acted responsibly in responding to public concern. After the CCTV footage circulated widely, the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) investigated the conduct of police officers and identified lapses in command and supervision.
The Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, accepted the recommendations and directed administrative action against the local commanders implicated in oversight failures.
Police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga emphasised that the measures reflect a commitment to accountability and professionalism, saying misconduct and supervisory failures will not be tolerated.
IPOA Probe and Public Outrage
Separately, the IPOA confirmed it has opened its own inquiry and is gathering evidence, including witness statements and the CCTV footage, to determine the extent of police misconduct and whether further legal action is warranted.
The incident has reignited nationwide debate over police conduct, excessive use of force, and the enforcement of human rights, with civil society and legal experts emphasising the need for transparent investigations and justice for victims.
