Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has condemned police brutality on youth in Nandi who were caught playing pool at a local joint.
Through a statement, the Legislator noted the importance of the game, which includes keeping the youth busy and producing world-class players.
“I am deeply disturbed by the incident that occurred at 11:51 PM on the night of 10th January in Nandi, where police officers from Nandi Hills Police Station violently assaulted young men whose only “crime” was playing pool.
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Let it be stated clearly: playing a game is not a crime.
Our youth are already going through a lot in this country. For many of them, engaging in games is not just leisure, but a positive way to keep themselves occupied, avoid crime, and build talent. We must not create a dangerous precedent where games are criminalised, yet these same games have the potential to produce world champions and create opportunities that can change lives,” he said
According to the MP, no law urges Kenyans to carry their ID’s at all times and prevents them from playing games at night.
Babu Owino called on the police to refrain from being the arresting officer, prosecutor and the judge at the same time.
“No law in Kenya requires citizens to carry their IDs at all times. No law prohibits people from playing games at night. Even where a law is alleged to have been broken, the police cannot act as both arresting officers and prosecutors, nor can they serve as judges.
Kenya is a constitutional democracy founded on the principle of presumption of innocence; that every Kenyan is innocent until proven guilty. Brutality and violence have no place in law enforcement,” said Babu Owino
The MP was speaking after a video of youth playing pool at a joint in Nandi emerged. In the video, the police could be seen manhandling the youth who were clearly not breaking any law.
Kenyans have also condemned the incident, accusing the police of using excessive force and not listening even when tou produce all the required documents.
