NPS, ODPP Ordered To Pay JKUAT Student Ksh8 Million Over Brutality Case
The High Court of Nairobi has awarded a student at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) Ksh 8 million.
This comes after he discovered that his constitutional rights were infringed when he was arrested by police officers during a protest.
The court directed that the money be paid by the respondents, the Inspector General of the National Police Service, and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP).
“The Petitioner is awarded the sum of Kshs 8 million for the violation of his rights, payable by the 1st and 2nd Defendants,” the judgement read.
The matter occurred after the petitioner was approached while walking near the campus during student unrest in November 2019 and assaulted by police officers with no explanation or legal justification.
The High Court at Milimani (PM Nyaudi Judge) in Omondi v Inspector General of the National Police & 4 others has awarded Allan Omondi Ksh. 8 Million for violation of his rights,under article 28, 29 and 48 of the CoK,by the National Police Service.https://t.co/9FMiJKMo8d pic.twitter.com/ZXSlibKoMv— Neto Benjamin (@netobenjamink) July 6, 2026
In its findings, the court held that the police officers’ actions violated the student’s right to dignity, freedom from cruel treatment and security of the person.
“A declaration hereby issues that the violent assault and subsequent arrest and detention of the Petitioner by the officers of the 1st respondent occasioned a violation of the right to human dignity, freedom from cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment contrary to Articles 28 and 29 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010,” Justice Patricia Nyaundi directed.
Additionally, the court held that the handling of the case by state agencies, including the failure to conclude accountability measures, left the student without an effective remedy.
Evidence presented showed that the incident was captured on video and later triggered investigations by oversight bodies, which confirmed the occurrence of the assault and identified the officers involved.
The court found that the ODPP had acknowledged there was sufficient evidence to charge the officers but opted for diversion, a process for resolving criminal cases without full court proceedings, which was never implemented.
It ruled that the failure to operationalise the diversion process violated the petitioner’s access to justice.
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According to court documents, the student was beaten, kicked and restrained in degrading circumstances before being bundled into a police vehicle and assaulted while in transit.
The court noted that he was then taken to a police station where he was detained in poor conditions despite his injuries and denied timely medical attention.
He was eventually released without being formally charged or properly booked.
Medical and psychological reports presented before the court showed that he suffered physical injuries and ongoing trauma, including symptoms consistent with post-traumatic stress.
The ruling comes amid intensified calls for accountability and reforms, as the public scrutinises security forces and the government over incidents of violence.
In addition to killings, forced disappearances and enforcement actions are alleged to violate the constitutional rights of civilians, especially during protests.
NPS, ODPP Ordered To Pay JKUAT Student Ksh8 Million Over Brutality Case
