OUTRAGIOUS! 10 Nandi Hills Police Officers Viciously Attack Men Playing Pool
Kenyans have reacted in outrage after a viral CCTV video showed armed police officers attacking young men playing pool in Nandi Hills town, with officials now demanding immediate action against those responsible.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei and Embakasi East Member of Parliament Babu Owino decried the alarming incidents.
They described it as a violation of human rights, claiming that the youth were physically beaten while committing no offense.
In CCTV footage from the incident on Sunday, January 10 at 11:51 p.m., at least ten police officers from Nandi Hills Police Station are seen rushing into a room with two pool tables where young males were playing.
The officers urge the victims to lie flat on the ground before severely roughing them up and demanding identity documents.
As the assault proceeds, the officers can be heard demanding the victims to produce their IDs and commanding them to put the documents in their mouths as they wonder why they were out late at night.
The pounding lasts several minutes before the officers leave, ordering the men to remain on the ground.
In a statement put on X on Friday morning, the senator referenced Article 244 of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution, which requires the National Police Service to uphold human rights, promote professionalism, integrity, and develop good relations with the public.
“I want to strongly condemn these acts of police brutality, criminality and abuse of human rights perpetuated by police officers in Nandi Hills town, Nandi county, to peace-loving youth whose only mistake was playing a pool game,” Cherargei said.
“Under the constitution of Kenya 2010, Article 244, the National Police Service is mandated to respect human rights, promote high standards of professionalism, good relationships with broader society and integrity. This provision has been violated by these rogue police officers.”
Adding to the condemnation, Babu Owino said, “I am deeply disturbed by the incident where police officers from Nandi Hills Police Station violently assaulted young men whose only ‘crime’ was playing pool.”
He stressed that playing games is not a crime and warned against criminalising harmless activities undertaken by young people.
“Let it be stated clearly: playing a game is not a crime. Our youth are already going through a lot in this country,” he said.
“For many of them, engaging in games is not just leisure, but a positive way to keep themselves occupied, avoid crime and build talent.”
Owino further noted that no law requires Kenyans to carry identification documents at all times, nor does any law prohibit people from playing games at night.
“Even where a law is alleged to have been broken, the police cannot act as both arresting officers and prosecutors, nor can they serve as judges,” he said.
He added that brutality and violence have no place in law enforcement.
“Kenya is a constitutional democracy founded on the principle of presumption of innocence.”
The two legislators have now demanded the intervention of the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, to interdict and suspend the officers involved.
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Additionally, they also demanded administrative action against their superiors, including members of the county security team.
They also called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to begin investigations with a view to prosecution, with Cherargei accusing the watchdog of reluctance in past cases.
“I demand that immediately the Inspector General of Police should interdict and suspend the said police officers for this act of impunity to pave the way for independent investigations,” Cherargei stated.
“We demand the immediate arrest of the officers involved, and they should be charged with assault. Our youths deserve dignity, protection and opportunity, not violence,” Babu Owino added.
Advocate Willis Otieno also condemned the incident, stating: “The OCS, Nandi Hills Police Station, must publicly produce the names of the officers involved and confirm the immediate steps taken to investigate and discipline them.”
OUTRAGIOUS! 10 Nandi Hills Police Officers Viciously Attack Men Playing Pool
