Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei have called for urgent action following an alleged police assault on young people in Nandi, demanding the arrest, suspension, and prosecution of the officers involved.
In a statement released on Friday, Owino described the incident, which occurred at 11:51 pm on January 10, as deeply troubling. He said the police allegedly attacked several youths simply for playing pool, stressing that leisure activities cannot be treated as criminal acts.
“I am deeply disturbed by the incident where police officers violently assaulted young men whose only ‘crime’ was playing pool. Let it be stated clearly: playing a game is not a crime,” Owino said.
CCTV footage shows youths, dressed in red hoodies and black clothing, enjoying a game of pool inside a recreational space in Nandi Hills town. Moments later, uniformed police officers stormed the establishment, ordered the youths to lie on the floor, and then assaulted some with slaps and others with batons. The officers reportedly left after nearly eight minutes of aggression. The reasons for the police action remain unclear.
Senator Cherargei joined the condemnation, demanding that Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja interdict the officers involved.
“I demand that the Inspector General of Police Kanja should immediately interdict and suspend the said police officers for this act of impunity. This is to also pave the way for the independent investigations to be carried out,” he stated.
Cherargei further called for Nandi County police leadership to face full administrative action and urged the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to investigate the incident. He added that he has engaged the Senate Committee on National Security to urgently examine the matter.
“The National security leadership must move in to prevent such acts of rogue police acts, which are re-emerging frequently,” Cherargei said.
Owino emphasized that Kenyan youth already face numerous challenges and that recreational activities like games keep young people engaged, help prevent involvement in crime, and nurture talent. He warned against the dangerous trend of criminalizing harmless leisure activities, noting that such games can produce world champions and life-changing opportunities.
The legislator also clarified that Kenyan law does not require citizens to carry national identity cards at all times nor forbids people from playing games at night. He stressed that even when an offence is suspected, police must follow proper legal procedures.
“The police cannot act as arresting officers, prosecutors and judges at the same time. Kenya is a constitutional democracy founded on the principle that every person is innocent until proven guilty,” Owino said.
Both leaders condemned the use of violence in law enforcement and demanded accountability. “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 said.
The incident has reignited nationwide concerns over police conduct and the treatment of young people, prompting calls for reforms in policing practices and stricter oversight of rogue officers.
