Nandi Senator Kiprotich Arap Cherargei has criticised the National Police Service (NPS) and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) over what he described as a public relations response to the brutal assault of young men playing pool in Nandi Hills.

Cherargei reacted on Saturday, January 31, 2026, after the NPS announced administrative action against six senior police officers following the circulation of a disturbing CCTV video showing police officers violently assaulting youths at a pool table venue in Nandi County.

In a strongly worded statement, the Nandi senator argued that administrative measures were not enough for what he said were clear criminal offences.

“Administrative action cannot be taken on criminal actions as per the law. This is a pure public relations exercise for Kenyans to forget,” Cherargei said.

The CCTV footage, filmed on January 10, 2026, shows more than 10 armed police officers storming a pool hall in Nandi Hills town at around 11:51 pm. The officers ordered the young men to lie on the floor before beating them with rungus and kicking them while demanding identification documents.

At some point during the assault, the officers instruct the victims to place their ID cards in their mouths as the beating continues. The attack lasts several minutes before the officers leave the premises, ordering the youths to remain on the ground.

The video sparked public outrage and renewed debate about police brutality in Kenya, with several leaders demanding accountability.

On Saturday, January 31, 2026, the NPS confirmed that it had taken immediate administrative action against six senior officers linked to the incident. In a statement, the police said the Internal Affairs Unit (IAU) had carried out an “exhaustive investigation” after the footage emerged.

Calls for criminal prosecution

However, Cherargei dismissed the move, insisting that arrests and prosecutions must follow.

“The canning and brutalisation of young men playing pool game at Nandi Hills Town are criminal actions worth arrests and prosecution as per the criminal law,” he said.

“We need immediate arrest and prosecution of the said police officers plus their superiors who committed the acts of criminality.”

The senator said the IAU should have recommended arrests rather than internal disciplinary action.

“The least we expected was recommendations by the Internal Affairs Unit to recommend arrests and prosecution,” he said.

Cherargei also accused IPOA of failing the victims and treating the matter as a public relations exercise.

“To IPOA, we do not expect these shenanigans of public relations exercises while the victims continue to experience trauma and undergo medical recovery,” he said.

He further linked the Nandi Hills incident to other cases of police brutality in Tinderet constituency, accusing officers attached to the Rapid Deployment Unit (RDU) of acting with impunity.

“The deaths and brutality in Tinderet constituency by rogue police under RDU must also be punished,” he said.

Cherargei called on Inspector General Douglas Kanja and IPOA officials to appear before the Senate to explain their actions and account for human rights violations.

“Bwana IG Kanja and IPOA, you must appear before Senate to be held accountable over this abuse of human rights and violation of rule of law on police brutality and harassment,” he said.