Cherargei Demands Arrests, Dismisses IG Kanja’s Action on Nandi Hills Police Brutality

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has intensified his criticism of Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, rejecting the administrative action taken against six senior police officers over the brutal assault of young men at a Nandi Hills pool hall and insisting that criminal charges must follow.

The vocal senator said in a statement on Saturday, January 31, that administrative measures cannot apply where criminal acts have allegedly been committed, dismissing the disciplinary action as a “cheap public relations exercise” aimed at calming public anger rather than delivering justice.

“The canning and brutalization of young men playing pool at Nandi Hills Town, Nandi County, are criminal actions worth arrest and prosecution under the law,” the senator said, adding that the victims had not committed any offence.

He demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of the officers involved, as well as their commanders, saying accountability must extend to those in charge.

      

According to Cherargei, the least expected from the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) was a recommendation for arrests and prosecution, not administrative sanctions.

The senator also took issue with the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), accusing it of engaging in public relations while victims continue to suffer trauma and undergo medical treatment. 

He said IG Kanja and IPOA officials must appear before the Senate to explain their handling of the case and be held accountable for what he termed a violation of human rights and the rule of law.

The controversy erupted after an eight-minute CCTV video surfaced earlier this month showing uniformed police officers violently assaulting young men at a pool hall in Nandi Hills town on January 10. 

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja

The footage sparked widespread public outrage and prompted investigations by the National Police Service’s Internal Affairs Unit.

Following the probe, IG Kanja approved administrative action against six senior officers, including the Sub-County Police Commander for Tinderet, the Officers Commanding Stations for Songoh and Nandi Hills, and officers in charge of RDU, GSU and ASTU camps in Songoh.

The National Police Service said the action deliberately targets local commanders, noting that those in charge bear ultimate responsibility for conduct within their areas of command and warning that there would be no tolerance for such misconduct.