Kenyans demand to know disciplinary action taken against cop in viral assault video

The National Police Service (NPS) has issued a statement after a disturbing video of a police officer assaulting a man went viral on social media.

In the video, widely circulated across various platforms, an officer armed with a pistol, is seen attacking a man already lying on the ground.

In the brutal attack, the officer is seen kicking the subdued man, stepping on his neck, and at one point, standing fully on top of him. 

The video, shot from an elevated position, does not clearly show the context or cause of the altercation.

• Was the police officer arrested?
Show us the evidence.
• Was the victim compensated?
Show us the evidence. pic.twitter.com/t9ZowmBTDA

— Omusakhulu™ (@Omusakhulu_) May 6, 2025

Responding to the public outcry, police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga said the video was not recent and that action had already been taken.

“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,” he said in a statement posted on the service’s official social media pages. 

PRESS STATEMENT : CLARIFICATION REGARDING A DISTURBING CLIP SHOWING UNPROFESSIONAL CONDUCT BY A POLICE OFFICER: pic.twitter.com/RiJDymmXjI

— National Police Service-Kenya (@NPSOfficial_KE) May 6, 2025

“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.”

Despite the clarification, Kenyans on X (formerly Twitter) expressed skepticism and demanded more transparency.

@Prof1one asked, “What kind of disciplinary action was taken against the rogue officer? How was the citizen compensated? Your statement is careless and has lots of gaps!”

Echoing this sentiment, @hbsorobi commented, “Could you please indicate the case number if the aforementioned rogue police officer was indeed sentenced, as claimed?”

User Mystic Graphene added, “Make public the disciplinary action you took with accompanying evidence so as to regain the public trust that is eroded or completely gone.”

Okello Philip weighed in with frustration: “That's what you guys do all the time! Stop playing with us.”