Senators have called on security agencies to provide a detailed report on the alleged assault of youths by police in Nandi Hills, demanding clarity on investigations, disciplinary measures and safeguards against future incidents.
The demands follow an incident on the night of January 10, 2026, when police officers reportedly stormed an entertainment establishment and assaulted several young men playing pool, leaving some with injuries.
CCTV footage from the venue showed that at 11:51 pm, at least 10 police officers from Nandi Hills Police Station, armed with guns and rungus, entered the room and ordered the men to lie flat on the ground before physically assaulting them and demanding identification documents.
The beating continued for several minutes, after which the officers left, instructing the victims to remain on the ground.
In a session on Wednesday, the legislators condemned the violence, emphasising that attacks on law-abiding citizens undermine public trust and the rule of law. Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei pressed for immediate action, insisting that both the officers involved and their superiors be held accountable and that steps be taken to restore confidence in law enforcement.
Cherargei has now asked the Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations to provide a comprehensive Statement on the incident.
He urged the Committee, chaired by Senator Fatuma Dullo, to outline the status of investigations, including the agencies leading the inquiry, timelines and any interim findings.
He has also requested information on any disciplinary, administrative, or criminal action taken against the officers involved, and clarification on measures to ensure both individual and command responsibility.
Cherarkey sought further clarification on the circumstances under which the officers entered the establishment and whether their actions complied with existing laws, regulations and professional policing standards.
“The Committee should provide details on the nature of injuries sustained, medical treatment administered, psychosocial support provided, and any compensation or victim-support mechanisms available to the youths,” he said.
Additionally, the senator called for information on safeguards and oversight mechanisms currently in place to prevent police brutality and abuse of authority, how these mechanisms are enforced, and any gaps identified.
He pressed for steps to restore public confidence in law enforcement in Nandi Hills, including community engagement initiatives and reforms to address police misconduct.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna condemned the incident, noting that the Constitution envisions a country governed by the rule of law.
“I think the entire country was in shock when those videos came out, that young people would just be hanging out, not breaking any law, within the confines and protection of the law, seemingly, and then police officers would come in and without any explanation or provocation, they would start physically assaulting those young people,” he said.
“And what is most heartbreaking, honourable chair, as far as I know, up to today, the police have not told us whether those officers who were involved in that particular incident have been arrested.”
Sifuna emphasised that incidents of police brutality undermine public trust and called for swift action to ensure that law-abiding citizens are protected and that constitutional rights are upheld.
“Honourable chair, speaker, we have come to a place where now we’re having certain conversations in this country, and we must remind ourselves of the sort of society that we wanted to build when we passed this constitution. This constitution guarantees certain things for all of us. We expected that we would be a country governed by the rule of law that would have freedom, democracy, equality and social justice here, as stated in the preamble of our Constitution,” he added.
Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu criticised the police for using excessive force instead of following proper legal procedures, noting that existing laws do not allow officers to physically assault individuals without justification.
He called for accountability and urged law enforcement to uphold the rule of law, protect citizens’ rights, and ensure that any suspected offenders are arrested and charged.
“This is something that must be condemned by any Kenyan who values the freedom that we have, freedom to assemble, freedom to play whichever game and whichever hour, as long as it is within the licensed time of the particular facility. The police should, if anyone has committed a crime, arrest and charge any such people who break any law. I don’t think in our laws that we have any particular provision where police can clobber people for no good reason,” he said.
In a statement on X, Embakasi East MP Babu Owino noted that even in cases where a law may have been broken, the police cannot assume the roles of both arresting officers and prosecutors, nor act as judges.
“Let it be stated clearly: playing a game is not a crime. Our youth are already going through a lot in this country. For many of them, engaging in games is not just leisure, but a positive way to keep themselves occupied, avoid crime and build talent,” he said.
“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. Kenya is a constitutional democracy founded on the principle of the presumption of innocence. Brutality and violence have no place in law enforcement.”
Both Cherarkey and Owino called for the intervention of Inspector General Douglas Kanja to interdict and suspend the officers involved, as well as administrative action against their superiors, including members of the county security team.
They also urged the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate and prosecute the case, with Cherarkey noting past reluctance from the watchdog.
“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,” Owino added.
