A viral video showing police officers allegedly mishandling a man living with a physical disability during the June 25 demonstrations in Nakuru has sparked widespread outrage across Kenya, with disability rights groups and leaders demanding accountability.
The footage, which has been widely shared on social media, appears to show uniformed police officers forcibly taking away the man’s crutches before arresting him and bundling him into a police vehicle.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from the National Council for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), which described the officers’ actions as dehumanising, unconstitutional, and a serious violation of the rights of persons with disabilities.
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In a statement issued on Friday, June 26, 2026, the Council condemned the conduct in the strongest terms, saying the officers displayed a complete disregard for the man’s safety, dignity, and physical condition.
“In the video clip, the said police officers are seen forcibly and violently snatching the crutches, and manhandling him with utter disregard for his physical condition, safety, and dignity,” the Council said.
According to the NCPWD, mobility aids such as crutches are not merely personal belongings but essential tools that enable persons with disabilities to move independently and live with dignity.
“Its forcible removal is an act of deliberate cruelty,” the Council added.
The Council has called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) to launch immediate investigations into the incident and identify all officers involved. It also urged the National Police Service to commence disciplinary action against those responsible.
The video has triggered strong reactions online, with many Kenyans expressing anger over the treatment of a person with a disability during what was largely a peaceful commemoration of the Gen Z protest anniversary.
Among those who condemned the incident was nominated Senator Crystal Asige, who described the officers’ actions as “monstrous.”
“This is monstrous! IG Douglas Kanja, we need an explanation from the National Police Services (NPS),” Asige wrote on social media.
In a later update, the senator identified the man as James Thuku and revealed that he was being held at Nakuru Central Police Station facing charges of incitement to violence.
The footage shows officers lifting Thuku, who relies on crutches for mobility, into the back of a police vehicle before driving away.
The incident has reignited debate about the treatment of vulnerable groups during public demonstrations, with human rights defenders calling on security agencies to uphold the dignity and constitutional rights of all citizens regardless of their physical condition.
As public pressure continues to mount, attention is now turning to whether IPOA and the National Police Service will take action against the officers captured in the viral video.