NAIROBI, Kenya- Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja has ordered an investigation into the arrest of a man with a disability during the June 25 memorial protests in Nakuru after a video of the incident sparked widespread public outrage.
In a statement issued on Friday through National Police Service spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, Kanja directed the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) to conduct a thorough investigation and submit its findings within seven days.
The viral footage shows the man, identified in various media reports as James Thuku, who uses crutches, struggling to move after police officers arrived at the scene in a patrol vehicle. The officers are seen grabbing him, causing him to fall before lifting him into a police vehicle during the demonstrations in Nakuru.
The National Police Service said preliminary reports suggest the officers’ actions may have violated established policing procedures and legal safeguards.
“The Service strongly condemns all forms of unprofessional conduct, excessive force, or breaches of established procedures,” the statement said.
It added that the incident “may not have complied with the Service’s Standard Operating Procedures or the legal safeguards designed to protect the dignity and rights of suspects.”
“Such behaviour is unacceptable and contrary to the core values of the National Police Service,” the statement said.
Kanja directed the Internal Affairs Unit to carry out what the police described as a professional, impartial and comprehensive inquiry, saying disciplinary or other appropriate action would be taken depending on the outcome of the investigation.
The Inspector-General also appealed to members of the public with information that could assist investigators to cooperate with the inquiry.
The arrest has drawn condemnation from rights groups, disability advocates and political leaders, who questioned the treatment of a person with a disability during a law enforcement operation.
The incident occurred during nationwide demonstrations marking the second anniversary of the June 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests, with footage from Nakuru becoming one of the most widely shared videos from the day.
The National Police Service said it remains committed to professionalism, respect for human rights and adherence to the Constitution while carrying out its policing mandate.