Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has criticized Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja for transferring officers involved in assaulting youths in Nandi Hills instead of disciplining them. He described the move as a public relations stunt lacking accountability. Authorities have pledged to investigate further.
On February 4, 2026, Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei issued a statement on social media criticizing Inspector General Douglas Kanja. He claimed the officers captured on CCTV footage assaulting youths at a pool table in Nandi Hills were simply transferred to other stations, calling it a reward rather than justice. "The much-hyped action by the Inspector General only rewarded those responsible with transfers. There was no disciplinary process, no criminal proceedings, and no accountability," Cherargei stated.
The incident, which involved the brutalization of young people playing pool, drew national outrage and highlighted ongoing concerns about police conduct. The National Police Service responded by promising firm legal action against the officers. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) dispatched a Rapid Investigations Team to the scene after the video circulated widely, aiming for a comprehensive probe.
Cherargei announced efforts to seek justice through multiple avenues, including urging IPOA to expedite investigations and prosecutions. A legal team is being assembled for victim compensation and private prosecutions, while parliamentary proceedings on the matter continue. The senator accused Kanja of failing to protect youth from abuse by law enforcers, labeling the response a travesty of justice. This development raises broader questions about accountability in Kenya's policing system.
