The National Police Service (NPS) has clarified a viral video circulating on social media which depicted a police officer assaulting a man lying on the ground.
In the video shared widely on social media platforms, a uniformed individual believed to be a police officer was recorded brutally beating a man lying on the pavement.
The video showed the police officer stepping on the victim's neck while repeatedly kicking the helpless man as other road users watched from a distance.
The one-minute clip, which went viral for most of Monday and yesterday, drew mixed reactions from Kenyans, with most online users demanding immediate action against the officer.
However, on Tuesday, May 6, police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga clarified that the trending video was from an incident that took place seven years ago, in 2018.
According to Nyaga, the alleged police officer was already identified, with appropriate disciplinary action taken against him. While addressing the matter, the police service expressed its commitment to upholding the rights and freedoms of Kenyans.
"National Police Service (NPS) has taken cognisance of a disturbing video circulating in the media, which shows a police officer assaulting a man lying on the ground," read part of a statement by the police service.
"The Service wishes to clarify that the incident occurred in 2018, and the officer captured in the clip was identified, with appropriate disciplinary action taken against him," the statement added.
Meanwhile, a report by the International Justice Mission revealed police abuse of human rights in Kenya, with 1 in 3 Kenyans having experienced either police abuse or harassment.
The most recent incident of alleged police brutality in Kenya was the killing of five civilians by officers attached to the General Service Unit (GSU) in Angata Barrikoi, Kilgoris, Narok County.
The incident, which occurred on April 28, ensued after the heavily armed officers attempted to disperse residents who were protesting against an alleged scheme by unknown individuals to grab their land.
While commenting on the matter, the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, vowed to take action against police officers who used excessive force on the residents of Barrikoi.
Flanked by other leaders, Kanja, while speaking during a visit to the region, apologised over the incident and ordered the immediate transfer of GSU officers linked to the killings.
