When 17-year-old Alex* was arrested on October 10, 2025, at Naroosura shopping centre in Narok South on suspicion of stealing tractor parts, he was fine and in good health.
However, two weeks later the minor, the Form Two student at Naroosura Secondary School, is fighting for his life at the Narok County Referral Hospital, after he was allegedly tortured and his legs severely injured, while in police custody.
Doctors at the Narok County Referral Hospital where he is receiving treatment have described his condition as critical, revealing that severe infections on both his legs may force an amputation, in efforts to save his life.
Speaking from his hospital bed where he is chained and under police guard, Alex said two police officers tortured him with metal chains and poured a liquid he suspects to be acid on his legs, while at the Naroosura Police Post following his arrest.
"I was arrested on October 10 at 2pm at Naroosura shopping centre. While in custody, the two police officers tied my hands behind my back using metallic chains, tortured and assaulted me, so that l could confess to a crime l didn't commit," the minor told the Nation .
"They poured acid on my legs and blocked my family from seeing seeing me. I was beaten every night for the days l was in custody. They told me to accept charges or else they would kill me," he explained from the hospital bed.
He was transferred from Naroosura Police Post to Narok Police Station on October 12. The Nation has established, that when the minor was arraigned on October 13 the charge was altered from stealing tractor parts to breaking into a building and committing a felony.
When the charges were read, the magistrate ordered that the suspect be first taken to hospital and be treated before taking a plea. The following day, he was again presented in court and with charged breaking into a shop at Naroosura trading centre and stealing 10 litres of cooking oil worth Sh2,500 and cash amounting to Sh34,000.
According to the charge sheet, the offence was committed on August 8 2025.The student pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years in prison. Now he says he made the plea under coercion.
A sign board of the Narok County Referral Hospital where a17-year-old Form Two student from Naroosura Secondary School, is receiving treatment after being brutally assaulted while in police custody.
Photo credit: Tobby Meso | Nation Media Group
However, when he was taken to Narok Prison to begin his sentence, authorities at the facility declined to admit him due to the severity of his injuries and referred him back to Narok Police Station and asked that he be taken to hospital for medical attention first.
Alex's mother, Grace Takona, said her son was in a critical condition and demanded for justice for him.
"The police now claim that my son was injured by a mob before he was rescued and taken into custody. Yet he was tortured while in police custody. He can even identify the two police officers who assaulted him at the Naroosura Police Post," said Ms Takona.
"He is in a bad state. They have put a catheter on him because he cannot go to the washroom on his own. I demand for justice for my son," the mother said.
Narok County Police Commander Riko Ngare, told the Nation that the police are investigating the matter and that he would divulge more information to the press later.
The matter has sparked public uproar are residents, child protection advocates and human rights activists demanding thorough investigations into the matter.
Nakuru Human Rights Network Director, David Kuria, who is also a representative of the Independent Medical (IMLU), called for urgent investigations, citing violations of the Constitution and the Children’s Act.
"I want to call upon the Inspector General of Police and all relevant bodies, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) to probe the matter and have the police officers suspected to have assaulted the minor arrested, interdicted and arraigned," said Mr Kuria.
"The child, reportedly arrested on suspicion of a petty offence, is currently receiving treatment at Narok County Referral Hospital," Ipoa said in a statement.
"In line with its mandate to ensure accountability and the observance of human rights in policing, Ipoa is investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged arrest and subsequent injury of the minor. The Authority will determine the extent of police involvement and, where necessary, make appropriate recommendations for redress," Ipoa further said.
This incident comes months after another case of alleged police brutality in Narok County, in which a woman was reportedly assaulted at Naroosura Police Station in April 2025. Graphic images of her injuries circulated on social media, sparked public outcry and investigations by Ipoa.
