Human rights group International Commission of Jurists Kenya has strongly condemned what it describes as torture and unlawful use of force by police officers in Nandi Hills, saying internal police discipline is not enough and calling for urgent criminal investigations and prosecutions.
In a statement released on Friday, February 6, 2026, ICJ Kenya said it was deeply troubled by the violent assault of young men by police officers, an incident captured on CCTV footage. The incident occurred on January 10, 2026, at about 11:51 at night inside a pool hall in Nandi Hills Town.
According to the organisation, the CCTV footage shows police officers in uniform entering the pool hall, ordering the young men to lie on the floor and then beating them repeatedly with batons. ICJ Kenya said the actions amounted to excessive and unlawful use of force.
The group said the conduct of the officers violated the Constitution of Kenya as well as international human rights law. It pointed to Article 25(a) of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, noting that this right cannot be limited under any circumstances.
ICJ Kenya also cited Articles 29 and 244 of the Constitution, which require the National Police Service to respect human dignity, apply force only when strictly necessary, and operate in line with democratic policing values.
While acknowledging that the Internal Affairs Unit of the National Police Service has begun an internal review, the organisation criticised the response announced earlier by the Inspector General. It said the measures taken focused on administrative action against officers with command responsibility rather than those who carried out the assault.
“Mere administrative action, which remains ambiguous in scope and effect, and leaves out those who committed the offences, cannot substitute meaningful accountability where lives, liberties, and constitutional rights have been violated,” the statement said.
ICJ Kenya warned that relying on internal police discipline alone risks promoting impunity, especially in cases involving serious violations of human rights. The group said it was concerned by public frustration over the slow pace of investigations and prosecutions related to unlawful police use of force.
The organisation stressed the role of constitutional oversight bodies, urging them to act without delay. It said “it is incumbent on IPOA to advance rigorous, transparent and swift investigations to the point of prosecutorial recommendation,” and on the ODPP “to promptly initiate criminal proceedings against the officers directly responsible.”
ICJ Kenya further noted that the victims retain the right to seek civil action against the state for the violations they suffered. It said justice must go beyond discipline within the police service and include legal accountability.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing justice through lawful channels. It said it will continue to support all lawful measures, including strategic court action and engagement with oversight institutions, to ensure those responsible for police brutality are held to account in line with the Constitution and the law.
The incident, which happened nearly a month ago, has drawn public attention to police conduct and raised fresh questions about the strength of accountability systems in the country.
By referring to both constitutional provisions and international human rights standards, ICJ Kenya said the Nandi Hills case is a clear test of Kenya’s commitment to ending torture and unlawful use of force by security agencies.
The organisation said its statement adds pressure on oversight bodies to move beyond internal police processes and deliver what it described as “real accountability for this torture and unlawful force.”
