Four police officers caught beating up JKUAT student interdicted

Four police officers who were caught on camera brutalizing a student during protests at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) have been interdicted following public uproar.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, Inspector General of Police Hilary Mutyambai said the four officers had been identified and are set to face further disciplinary action.

“Further action and other disciplinary processes will follow the recommendations of the Internal Affairs Unit Investigation,” reads the statement.

Citizen Digital has since identified the student as Allan Omondi, a Food Science and Technology student in his 4th year.

He and his fellow students had taken to the streets on Monday to protest over insecurity at the institution when officers reportedly cornered him.

In the video capturing the attack, the officers are seen kicking Allan on the head and using their batons to hit other parts of his body.

Reports indicate that he was later arrested and taken into custody at Juja Police Station.

Police IG Hillary Mutyambai had ordered that all students who had been arrested be released.

However, it was not until 10:30pm that it was confirmed that Allan Omondi was out of police custody.

On Tuesday, a close friend who sought anonymity said Omondi had been taken to Nairobi Hospital and is now recuperating at home.

Interior CS Fred Matiang’i condemned the incident and ordered that action be taken on the culprits within 24 hours.

The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) said they have launched investigations even as human rights organizations condemned the incident.

Amnesty International CEO Irungu Houghton said: “Violent policing during public demonstration must stop.It is impossible for the Republic to distinguish hooligans both in and out of police uniforms.Officers who break their code of office must be held individually guilty of misconduct, sanctioned and made to compensate victims.”