The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has deployed a rapid investigations team to Nandi Hills following a viral CCTV video showing police officers assaulting young men at a pool hall. The incident occurred on January 10, 2026, and has drawn widespread condemnation from leaders and the public. Senator Samson Cherargei has demanded the immediate suspension of the officers involved.
An eight-minute surveillance video capturing the incident, timestamped around 11:50pm on January 10, 2026, shows uniformed police officers entering a pool hall in Nandi Hills, forcing about 12 young men to the floor, and assaulting them with batons. Audio from the footage captures officers demanding identification before escalating the brutality. The situation worsened when one man attempted to leave, prompting officers to strike him and others.
IPOA has confirmed the incident affected multiple establishments in Nandi Hills, including bars and hotels. The rapid investigations team has identified and contacted several victims and witnesses for statements. In a statement on January 16, 2026, IPOA condemned any unnecessary or unwarranted use of force and urged calm during the probe. "The Authority condemns any use of unnecessary and unwarranted force in policing, calls for calm as it undertakes investigations, and reaffirms its commitment to impartial inquiries and the promotion of accountability and professionalism within the National Police Service," IPOA stated, signed by chairperson Issack Hassan.
No formal complaints were lodged before the video went viral online, and IPOA has encouraged the public to report incidents promptly. Nandi Hills Senator Samson Cherargei has strongly condemned the acts as police brutality and human rights abuses. "I want to strongly condemn these acts of police brutality, criminality, and abuse of human rights perpetrated by police officers in Nandi Hills Town," Cherargei said. He noted that playing pool is not an offense under the law and the assault violates Article 244 of the Constitution, which requires police to respect human rights and maintain professionalism.
Cherargei demanded that Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja immediately interdict and suspend the officers, calling on IPOA and the Senate Committee on National Security to investigate urgently. This incident adds to Kenya's escalating police brutality crisis, as per the Missing Voices Annual Report 2024-2025, which documented 104 police-related killings and 55 enforced disappearances between 2024 and 2025, mostly involving young men aged 19-34.
