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Victims of Nandi police beating demand action as probe drags
A screengrab of the viral video shows armed police officers beating up a group of youth inside a pool hall in Nandi Hills.
What you need to know:
- IPOA chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan said the authority is evaluating witness accounts of the incident.
- Some 10 uniformed police officers stormed the pool hall and subjected the youth to a thorough beating.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is gathering evidence into police brutality against a group of youth who were playing pool in Nandi Hills in what has been termed human rights violations and abuse of power.
On Sunday, IPOA chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan said the authority is evaluating witness accounts to enable it to make recommendations on how to deal with the matter.
“The authority has visited and documented the incident scene and seized and secured the camera footage for forensic analysis,” said Mr Hassan, while confirming that the matter is still under investigation.
The authority dispatched a team of rapid investigators to conduct inquiries and assess the conduct of the officers involved in the brutality.
“We have recorded statements from witnesses and police officers and obtained relevant police documents,” Mr Hassan disclosed, adding that vehicles suspected to have been involved in the operation have also been identified.
He said the authority has ensured that all victims received medical attention and completed P3 forms.
The assaulted youth have decried the slow pace of investigations into the incident, which occurred two weeks ago, when 10 uniformed police officers in full combat gear, armed with rifles and batons, allegedly carried out the assault.
“Justice delayed is justice denied, and all those implicated in the crime must be made to face the law,” said Victor Kiprono Kogo, who sustained injuries following the assault by police officers attached to the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) in Tindiret sub-county.
According to the victims’ lawyer, Kibet Kisorio, the 15 youth have recorded statements with the police in Nandi Hills and obtained P3 forms after receiving treatment at various health facilities following the January 10 police assault.
“Apart from the victims recording statements after obtaining P3 forms, no other action has taken place,” said Mr Kisorio, demanding justice for the assaulted youth.
Nandi County police boss Samuel Mukusi said the matter is still under investigation by a team dispatched from police headquarters to probe the conduct of the officers implicated in the beating.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has instructed the Director of the Internal Affairs Unit to commence investigations into the alleged human rights violations, abuse of power, and assault by the officers.
In a video that went viral, some 10 uniformed police officers armed with rifles and batons were captured storming the pool hall where the youth were playing at around 11.51pm, ordering them to lie down before subjecting them to a thorough beating.
In the CCTV footage, the police officers are seen using batons and pool sticks to assault the youth, and no amount of pleas for leniency stopped them.
The youth were asked to produce their national identity cards and explain why they were playing pool late at night, while the officers continued the ruthless beatings for about 10 minutes.
The officers left the hall after about 10 minutes, leaving the youth confused about whether to leave or remain in the pool hall due to security fears.
Nandi Governor Stephen Sang has called for firm disciplinary and criminal accountability for all officers involved in the brutality.
“The NPS exists to protect the public, and their actions must strictly conform to the Constitution, due process, and rules of engagement,” said Governor Sang.
