NAIROBI, Kenya- Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has criticised the response by Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to a widely circulated CCTV footage showing police officers assaulting youths in Nandi Hills town, Nandi County, calling it “insensitive, inhumane, and casual” and demanding urgent accountability.
The CCTV footage, which has sparked nationwide outrage, shows uniformed officers entering a pool hall where a group of young men were peacefully playing a game of pool, an activity that is neither prohibited by law nor harmful, before assaulting them with batons, ordering them to lie on the floor and demanding their identification documents.
In a X posted on social media, Senator Cherargei condemned the brutality and accused the officers of violating the Constitution of Kenya, which mandates the National Police Service to respect human rights, uphold professionalism, protect the public and maintain positive relations with the community.
“By now, the said rogue police officers should have been interdicted and suspended to pave the way for independent investigations into their misconduct,” Cherargei wrote.
PRESS STATEMENT : CONDEMNATION OF POLICE MISCONDUCT AND REAFFIRMATION OF ACCOUNTABILITY
Inspector General Kanja directed the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) to conduct a comprehensive and swift investigation, giving the unit three days to finalise its work.
“This will be conducted with the utmost professionalism to establish the full facts and circumstances, and the Service will work closely with other independent institutions to ensure transparency and accountability,” the IG’s statement added.
The senator also alleged that some of the officers involved were previously linked to serious cases in the Kimwani area of Nandi County last year, including alleged killings and ongoing protection of land grabbers, claims he says raise serious concerns about persistent impunity within the service.
In response to the public outcry, the National Police Service has launched an investigation into the incident.
The police statement noted that the conduct exhibited in the footage is at odds with the National Police Service Act and basic standards of professionalism, and that any officers found culpable will be dealt with accordingly.
This response by the Inspector General of police Bwana kanja to police brutality meted to my youth in Nandi hills Town, Nandi county is too insensitive,inhumane and casual . By now the said rogue police officers should have been by now interdicted and suspended to pave way for
Senator Cherargei has called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to also carry out independent investigations and, if warranted, pursue prosecution against the officers.
He has further engaged the Senate Committee on National Security to consider the matter as part of wider concerns over re‑emerging incidents of police misconduct.
The incident has drawn condemnation from other leaders, including Nandi County Governor Stephen Sang, who denounced the police actions as unlawful and a violation of citizens’ rights, urging transparent investigations and firm accountability for the officers involved.
The brutal encounter has reignited debates about police conduct and accountability in Kenya, with activists and legal experts warning that lawful policing must never be used as a cover for violence or rights abuses.
