Twelve young men in Nandi Hills have formally filed complaints after experiencing severe police brutality during a raid at a local pool hall.
Among the victims were Gideon Keter and Kennedy Kipkorir, who described how they were beaten and allegedly had cash and mobile phones stolen by the officers.
Accompanied by their lawyers, the group went to the Nandi East Sub-County Police Headquarters to report the incident and demand justice against the rogue officers responsible.
The assault took place last Saturday, January 10, when at least 12 youths were attacked by eight police officers who stormed the pool hall in Nandi Hills town.
The victims have come forward to recount their traumatic experiences and the physical injuries they sustained.
How the Youths Were Treated by Police
The victims, supported by legal representatives, officially reported the case to the Nandi East Sub-County Police Headquarters. Gideon Keter explained that he suffered injuries to his back after being brutally beaten by the officers. “I had just returned from work and decided to unwind by playing pool.
Two officers wearing masks came in first, followed by a total of 17 police officers. They ordered us to lie on the ground and then started attacking us.
They stepped on my chest and caused serious injuries to my back,” Keter said. He further added that the officers hit him with clubs and took his M-Kopa phone along with KSh 6,000 in cash.
Kennedy Kipkorir also shared his ordeal, stating that he was hurt in the leg and hand. He said the officers stole KSh 2,000 from him and damaged his phone. “When the officers entered the pool hall, they ordered us to lie down. They asked for my ID and told me to leave.
As I was leaving, one officer hit my right elbow with a baton and another slapped me. They also smashed my phone screen and took KSh 2,000 in cash from me,” Kipkorir recounted.
In response, Rift Valley police commander Samuel Mukusi stated that the officers involved would face investigations, and serious action would be taken against them if found guilty.
The officer in charge of Nandi Hills Police Station clarified that the men involved were not from his station but belonged to the Rapid Deployment Unit, a specialized elite branch of the Administration Police Service (APS).
Senator Cherargei Condemns the Brutality
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei strongly condemned the police violence, noting that the youths had not engaged in any criminal activity to justify the officers’ actions.
He described the assault as an abuse of human rights, criminal behavior, and acts of brutality. Cherargei criticized the officers for attacking peaceful civilians whose only “offense” was playing a game of pool, which is legal and does not violate any law.
The senator called out the officers for their lack of professionalism and demanded immediate action from Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja. Cherargei urged that the officers involved be suspended and interdicted to allow for independent investigations.
He also insisted that their superiors and members of the county security team face full administrative measures for failing to prevent the abuse.
Cherargei confirmed that he had personally reached out to the victims and submitted the matter to the Senate’s Standing Committee on National Security and Foreign Relations for further oversight.
He pledged to pursue the rogue officers relentlessly to ensure they are held accountable for their actions.
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