A video of an elderly man aged 74 years arrested in Lavington, Nairobi, elicited debate after it was circulated widely.
The 3-minute clip shows the detectives drawn from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) handcuffing the suspect before attempting to bundle him on the back of a double cabin.
According to the clip captured by his son, the old man of foreign descent was arrested on Saturday and accused of being a forcible detainer.
"For now, he is under arrest. He will be charged with forcible detainer and arraigned in court on Monday," a detective stated.
"We will go with you (to the station), you will gain the access and have a view of the charges. You will be free to comment."
The officers, however, allowed the suspect to ride in the back seat of the police vehicle destined for DCI headquarters along Kiambu Road.
Section 91 of the Penal Code indicates that "Any person who, being in actual possession of land without colour of right, holds possession of it, in a manner likely to cause a breach of the peace or reasonable apprehension of a breach of the peace, against a person entitled by law to the possession of the land is guilty of the misdemeanour termed forcible detainer."
Individuals convicted of the misdemeanour face imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years, a fine, or both.
Irked by what he argued was an arbitrary arrest, the son questioned the detectives for arresting his father without a warrant to which they answered that they did not need one.
Immediately after the arrest, a group of unidentified men invaded the home, which hosts a mansion, and began fencing it, claiming that its current occupants obtained the land illegally.
The clip drew ire from Kenyans who termed the mode of arrest unacceptable, noting that it left the elderly man traumatised.
"I am not sure I'd maintain the cool the son has. However, it's okay to not bring up chaos at such a time when you are helpless. I hope the old father finds justice served to him in right amounts," argued activist Boniface Mwangi.
"This is a bad country, mainly because (leaders) want us living under a dictatorship regime. It's sad and we must find a way to fight back, even if it means experiencing a little more pain to win."'
Another user, KM, questioned President William Ruto for abandoning his promise to crack down on rogue police officers.
"I remember the president and his deputy vowing to stop unlawful police arrests, extra-judicial killings and police intimidation. What happened?" Questioned KM.
"When i look at the boys guarding our borders and then yourselves. You are just an embarrassment," another concerned Kenyan lamented.
According to Kileleshwa MCA Robert Alai, who visited the home, the couple was released from police custody, and the unidentified individuals were kicked off the property.
