Willis Otieno demands accountability over Nandi Hills police conduct
By Faith Lagat, January 16, 2026Lawyer Willis Otieno has publicly condemned officers from Nandi Hills Police Station following CCTV footage showing brutal harassment of young men peacefully playing pool on January 10, 2026.
He emphasised that policing is not a licence to humiliate, assault, or terrorise citizens going about lawful activities.
“There is CCTV footage dated 10th January 2026 showing police officers from Nandi Hills Police Station brutally harassing young men who were peacefully playing pool,” Otieno stated in his January 16, 2025, X post.
“Silence or cover-up will amount to institutional complicity. This matter cannot be wished away.”
Call for swift action
Otieno urged the OCS at Nandi Hills Police Station to publicly release the names of the officers involved and confirm immediate steps taken to investigate and discipline them.
His statements have drawn widespread social media attention, with videos and accounts highlighting the alleged excessive use of force against compliant youths engaging in lawful recreation.
The incident has sparked broader public outrage, raising concerns over recurring cases of police overreach.
Senator Cherargei joins calls for accountability
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has echoed Otieno’s condemnation, describing the acts as “police brutality, criminality and abuse of human rights perpetuated by police officers in Nandi Hills Town, Nandi County to peace-loving youth whose only mistake was play pool game, which is NOT an offence in any of our laws.”
He cited Article 244 of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, noting the National Police Service is mandated to uphold human rights, integrity, and professionalism, standards he said were violated by the officers.
“Under the constitution of Kenya 2010 Article 244, the National police ‘service’ is mandated to respect human rights, promote high standards of professionalism, good relationships with broader society and integrity. This provision has been violated by these rogue police officers.” Cherargei wrote.
Cherargei demanded the Inspector General interdict and suspend the officers immediately to allow independent investigations, and called for administrative action against their superiors. He also urged the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to launch prosecutions, pointing to past reluctance in handling similar incidents.
“I want to strongly condemn these acts of police brutality, criminality and abuse of human rights perpetuated by police officers in Nandi Hills Town, Nandi County, to peace-loving youth whose only mistake was play pool game, which is NOT an offence in any of our laws,” Cherargei said.
The senator confirmed engagement with the Senate Committee on National Security and ongoing contact with affected youths to ensure justice.