- Eight police officers were filmed assaulting youths playing pool in Nandi Hills, sparking outrage after CCTV footage revealed no criminal activity at the scene
- The National Police Service responded by ordering disciplinary action against at least five senior commanders, citing command responsibility
- NPS stressed that local leaders must be held accountable and reminded all officers of their duty to uphold professionalism and protect public safety
The National Police Service (NPS) has singled out at least six senior police officers who will be punished over CCTV footage that captured officers beating young men playing pool in Nandi town.
On the night of January 10, eight police officers armed with rifles were caught on surveillance cameras assaulting a group of young men who had been playing pool.
CCTV footage shows about a dozen youths inside a hall with two pool tables, engaged in the game peacefully before the officers stormed in.
The recordings did not reveal any criminal activity at the time of the police entry.
The officers ordered the young men to lie on the floor and then used pool cues to beat them.
Stationed at Nandi Hills Police Station, the officers were heard demanding the youths produce their national identity cards and questioning why they were still out playing pool at that hour.
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None of the explanations offered by the young men deterred the officers.
They continued the assault, taking turns to beat the youths before eventually leaving the hall, leaving the victims still lying on the floor.
The young men only stood up moments later after confirming that the officers had departed.
The victims later recorded their statements as investigations into the incident began.
Two weeks late, the National Police Service announced against the officers’ seniors by virtue of command responsibility.
In an official statement on Saturday, January 31, NPS clarified that the release of the footage prompted swift internal measures to establish the facts and determine accountability, with investigators assigned to carry out a comprehensive probe.
“Following the emergence of a disturbing CCTV video, later confirmed to have been filmed at a pool table venue in Nandi Hills, the National Police Service (NPS) immediately directed the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) to conduct an exhaustive investigation,” NPS said.
NPS further indicated that once the findings were received, the Inspector General acted on the recommendations of the Internal Affairs Unit, leading to administrative measures against several senior officers in the affected jurisdiction.
To face disciplinary action are Sub-County Police Commander (OCPD) for Tinderet; the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) for Songoh; the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) for Nandi Hills; the Officer in Charge, RDU Songoh Camp; the Officer in Charge, GSU Songoh Camp; and the Officer in Charge, ASTU Songoh Camp.
NPS noted that the disciplinary measures were deliberately aimed at local commanders, underscoring that those in leadership positions carry full responsibility for conduct within their areas of command.
“This action deliberately focuses on local commanders to ensure they are held fully accountable for all conduct within their jurisdictions. There will be no tolerance for such misconduct,” the statement further read.
NPS also reminded all officers of their core duties, stressing that their mandate as protectors of public safety and property must consistently be executed with the highest level of professionalism.
“Furthermore, the IG-NPS reiterates to every officer that they bear a solemn duty as custodians of public safety, security, and property. This is an integral and cardinal obligation that must be discharged with professionalism and responsibility at all times.”
Source: TUKO.co.ke
