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Uproar over Nandi Hills police assault on unarmed youth playing pool as probe starts
A screengrab of a viral video shows a police officer raising a pool stick to hit a man. A dozen police officers on Saturday night rounded up and assaulted youths found playing pool in Nandi Hills town.
Police in Nandi County are on the spot over allegations of brutality against a group of youths who were playing pool in Nandi Hills town.
In a video that has gone viral, about 10 uniformed police officers armed with rifles and batons are captured storming a pool hall at around 11.51 pm and ordering the youths to lie down before subjecting them to a thorough beating.
In the CCTV footage, the officers are seen using batons and pool sticks to assault the youths. No amount of pleas for leniency stopped them from continuing with the beatings.
The youths were asked to produce their national identity cards and explain why they were playing pool late at night as the rowdy officers took turns beating them for about 10 minutes.
“Lie down and bite your national identification card,” one of the charged officers is heard ordering as they battered the youths in the footage captured on January 10, 2026.
The officers left the pool hall after about 10 minutes, leaving the youths confused about whether to leave or remain inside due to security fears.
“What shall we do now? They might be waiting outside to subject us to further beatings,” one of the seemingly confused youths is heard saying.
The assaulted youths on Friday narrated how they suffered cruel beatings at the hands of the officers and vowed to institute legal action against the law enforcers.
“I joined my colleagues for a game of pool after closing my business as part of my relaxation. The armed police officers stormed the hall and ordered us to lie down, but despite obeying their commands, they beat us for no justified reason,” said Philip Letting, who suffered injuries to his hands and back.
The 15 assaulted youths have sought treatment in various health facilities, with some obtaining P3 forms as they pursue legal redress over the beatings.
“I fail to understand why the police officers had to use excessive force even after we surrendered and obeyed all instructions they issued. I suffered injuries and have to go for regular medical check-ups. What happened is brutality, and action must be taken against the involved officers,” said Geoffrey Korir, who narrated how he was forced to lie down before being subjected to severe beatings.
Some of the victims termed the incident an abuse of human rights and demanded stern disciplinary action against the officers involved.
“The law should act firmly against police officers who abuse their powers. What was the point of subjecting us to such cruel beatings, yet we had committed no crime?” said Victor Kiprono Kogo, calling for speedy investigations.
Yesterday, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa), said it had launch investigation over the January 10 incident with some of the victims and witnesses already contacted after a team was deployed to Nandi.
“The authority (Ipoa) condemns any use of unnecessary and unwarranted force in policing, and calls for calm as it undertakes investigation,” Ipoa Chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan said in a statement, noting that they had not received any complaint before the video emerged on social media.
Crisis meeting
Inspector-General of Police Douglas Kanja also ordered the Internal Affairs Unit to take up the matter.
Meanwhile, the county security team held a crisis meeting following public uproar over what they described as inhumane and brutal use of force by law enforcement officers.
Nandi County Police Commander Samuel Muukusi said the matter was under investigation and promised to issue a comprehensive statement later.
“I have been in a crisis meeting with my regional bosses, but the OCPD and DCI are already heading to Nandi Hills, and I will be joining them later to establish what exactly took place,” Mr Muukusi said on the phone.
A cross-section of leaders has demanded the arrest and prosecution of the officers involved in what they termed a criminal act.
Nandi Governor Stephen Sang condemned the assault, calling it unlawful and unacceptable.
“I call upon the relevant authorities, including the Ipoa and the National Police Service, to undertake swift, thorough, and transparent investigations, and to ensure firm disciplinary and criminal accountability for all officers involved. The County Government of Nandi will not countenance police brutality in any form. Professionalism, discipline, and respect for human rights must be upheld at all times without exception,” said Governor Sang in a statement.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei condemned the incident and petitioned Inspector-General of Police to interdict the officers.
“The IG should immediately interdict and suspend the police officers to pave the way for independent investigations,” said Senator Cherargei, urging the county security team to take full administrative action.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino demanded the arrest of the officers and their prosecution for assault.
“I am deeply disturbed by the incident that occurred at 11.51 pm on the night of January 10 in Nandi, where police officers from Nandi Hills Police Station violently assaulted young men whose only ‘crime’ was playing pool. Let it be stated clearly: playing a game is not a crime,” said the ODM lawmaker.
He said the law does not require citizens to carry their national identity cards at all times, nor does it prohibit people from playing games at night.
“Brutality and violence have no place in law enforcement. Our youths deserve dignity, protection and opportunity, not violence,” he said.
Some residents interviewed demanded an overhaul of the county security team, accusing it of aiding crime instead of enforcing law and order.
“We will not allow the police to act as both arresting officers and prosecutors. The law must act firmly against officers who abuse their authority,” said John Kosgei, a resident.
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