The National Police Service (NPS) has denied claims that its officers were captured on video whipping youth in an alleged election-related incident.
In a statement dated Thursday, August 11, NPS stated that it had reviewed the video and established that it was from a past incident.
The police indicated that their attention had been drawn to the video following uproar from Kenyans on social media.
"NPS's attention was drawn to a video clip circulating on social media of police officers engaging in an unpleasant confrontation with some youths.
"We have reviewed the clip, and wish to state that whereas the action of the police seems out of line with operational policy and expected practice, the incident, which is from the past, is not related to the ongoing 2022 General Election as assumed," NPS statement read in part.
Further, the police service added that it would continue handling any incidents of rowdiness as per its policies and human rights.
"As a protector of human rights, NPS continues to review our internal performance to reflect the expectation of the public in line with democratic policing ideals and our corporate vision and mission of professionalism, and responsiveness to our clients."
Additionally, NPS called on Kenyans to continue maintaining peace even as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) continues to announce winners for various seats.
The statement by the police barely comes hours after Kenyans on social media lamented over the treatment of the youth in the video.
"There is no need for police officer to be violent on harmless civilians. This kind of behaviour is what stokes emotions among the populace. Two civilians being surrounded and beaten by six police officers?" a social media user, Mike Lester, stated.
Ahead of the elections, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) warned that the internet would experience an influx of old video clips aimed at whipping emotions of Kenyans.
The cohesion body urged Kenyans to verify videos before sharing them on social media.
"We call on the nation and all its citizens to join us in urging social media users to desist from using old videos that portend the risk of reigniting negative emotions thus inciting communities against each other.
"Let us all remember that our nation is greater than our politics and the leaders we choose. We need peace and prosperity for Kenya to move forward," NCIC stated.
