A late-night police operation in Nandi has sparked fresh outrage over alleged brutality by law enforcement officers, with Embakasi East MP Babu Owino calling for the immediate arrest and prosecution of officers accused of violently assaulting young men whose only activity was playing pool.
According to the legislator, the incident occurred at 11:51pm on January 10, when officers attached to Nandi Hills Police Station allegedly descended on a group of youths and subjected them to violence without lawful justification.
The MP said the young men were attacked while engaging in a harmless game, describing the incident as a troubling example of abuse of power by police.
“Playing a game is not a crime,” Owino said in a strongly worded statement, accusing the officers of acting outside the law and violating the constitutional rights of the youths involved.
The incident has reignited debate about police conduct, especially in their interactions with young people, amid growing concern over the use of excessive force during routine patrols.
Owino argued that criminalising leisure activities such as games sets a dangerous precedent in a country where many youths already face unemployment, economic hardship and social exclusion.
“For many young people, games are not just leisure. They are a positive way to stay occupied, avoid crime, nurture talent and build a future,” he said, warning that harassment of youths engaged in lawful activities only deepens mistrust between communities and law enforcement.The MP further challenged the legal basis of the alleged police action, stating that Kenyan law does not require citizens to carry identification documents at all times, nor does it prohibit people from playing games at night. He said even where police suspect an offence has been committed, officers are bound by the law and cannot take the role of “arresting officers, prosecutors and judges” at the same time.
“Kenya is a constitutional democracy founded on the principle of presumption of innocence,” Owino said, adding that brutality and violence have no place in modern policing.His remarks come against the backdrop of repeated complaints from rights groups and youth organisations about police excesses, particularly during night patrols and crackdowns targeting young people. Activists have long argued that such operations often blur the line between law enforcement and intimidation, with little accountability for officers involved.
Owino demanded the immediate arrest of the officers implicated in the Nandi incident, insisting they should be charged with assault to send a clear message that abuse of power will not be tolerated.
“Our youths deserve dignity, protection and opportunity — not violence,” he said.The National Police Service had not issued a public response to the allegations by the time of publication. However, the incident is likely to intensify scrutiny of police conduct in Nandi and beyond, as pressure mounts on authorities to uphold constitutional rights and rein in rogue officers.
For many observers, the case underscores a broader national challenge: rebuilding public confidence in the police while ensuring that young people are not treated as suspects simply for existing in public spaces.
