NANDI HILLS— A CCTV camera in Nandi Hills captured a shocking scene last Saturday evening where eight police officers beating a group of young men peacefully playing pool. The footage, released publicly on Friday, has sparked widespread outrage and renewed scrutiny of police conduct in Kenya.
The young men, around a dozen in number, were inside a hall with two pool tables when the officers entered. At no point did the footage indicate criminal activity. Yet, the officers ordered the youths to lie on the floor, seized pool cues, and struck them repeatedly. They also demanded the young men produce their national identity cards, questioning why they were playing pool late at night.
Nandi County Senator Samson Cherargei, condemned the incident as a blatant act of police brutality.
“I want to strongly condemn these acts of criminality and abuse of human rights by police officers in Nandi Hills Town against peace-loving youth whose only mistake was playing a pool game,” he said.
The senator called on Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to interdict the officers and initiate an independent investigation. “Their superiors, including members of the county security team, must face full administrative action,” Cherargei added. He has also submitted the case to the Senate’s Standing Committee on National Security and Foreign Relations for further action.
Embakasi East MP Babu Owino echoed the condemnation, saying the police had no authority to demand identity cards from civilians or punish them for recreational activities.
“No law in Kenya requires citizens to carry IDs at all times, and no law prohibits people from playing games at night,” he said. “Even where an alleged law is broken, police cannot act as arresting officers, prosecutors, and judges simultaneously.”
The Nandi Hills incident is the latest in a troubling pattern of police brutality in Kenya. Last June, blogger Albert Ojwang died following an alleged assault by police at Nairobi’s Central Police Station. Human rights groups have also reported multiple civilian deaths during protests, caused by live rounds, rubber bullets, or physical assault.
The CCTV footage has intensified calls for accountability and reform. Citizens and leaders alike are demanding that the officers responsible be prosecuted and that systemic safeguards be implemented to prevent similar abuses.
As outrage grows, the focus remains on whether authorities will take swift action to restore public confidence in law enforcement in Kenya.
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