Investigation Launched into Allegations of Torture

NAIROBI, Kenya – The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) on Friday, October 24, 2025, launched a formal investigation into the alleged torture of a 17-year-old boy, Felix Senet ole Takuna, at Naroosura Police Station in Narok County. The teenager is currently hospitalized in critical condition at the Narok County Referral Hospital with severe injuries that doctors fear may necessitate the amputation of his leg. In a press statement issued in Nairobi, IPOA Chairperson Ahmed Isaack Hassan confirmed the probe, assuring the public of an impartial inquiry into the grave allegations of police misconduct. “In line with our mandate to ensure accountability and observance of human rights in policing, IPOA is investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged arrest and subsequent injury of the minor,” Hassan stated. The investigation will seek to determine the extent of police involvement and recommend appropriate action, guided by Article 244 of the Kenyan Constitution which demands professionalism and respect for human rights from the police service.

A Disputed Arrest and Brutal Detention

According to family members, Felix Senet, a Form Two student, was arrested at Naroosura shopping centre on Friday, October 10, 2025. The grounds for his arrest are disputed in various reports, with initial allegations citing the theft of tractor parts, while court charges later mentioned breaking into a shop to steal Sh34,000 and cooking oil. The family alleges that following his arrest, he was detained and subjected to extreme physical abuse by officers identified as Silas Kemboi and another named Rotich or Ngeno. Speaking from his hospital bed, the minor claimed officers tortured him with metal chains and may have used a chemical substance on his legs to force a confession. His mother reported she was denied access to her son at the station, despite hearing his screams from the cells.

Judicial Intervention and Systemic Failures

The case took a troubling turn on Monday, October 13, when Senet was reportedly brought before the Narok Law Courts. A magistrate, observing his visible injuries, ordered that he be taken to the hospital for immediate medical attention. However, reports indicate this order was ignored, and he was instead detained further at Narok Police Station. The following day, October 14, he was presented in court again, where he pleaded guilty under what he claims was coercion. Despite being unable to walk, he was sentenced to a two-year prison term. In a significant development, prison authorities at Narok refused to admit him due to the severity of his injuries, compelling police to return him to the station. It was only after the intervention of other officers that he was finally taken to the Narok County Referral Hospital, where he is reportedly chained to his bed under 23-hour police guard.

A Pattern of Abuse and Calls for Accountability

This incident has cast a harsh spotlight on Naroosura Police Station, which has faced previous accusations of brutality. In April 2025, an officer from the same station was investigated for allegedly assaulting a woman who had gone to report a domestic dispute. Civil rights advocates have voiced deep concern over what they describe as a pattern of abuse at the station, potentially targeting vulnerable members of the community. The case of Felix Senet has triggered public outrage across Kenya, amplifying calls from human rights organizations and citizens for swift and transparent investigations to ensure the officers responsible are held accountable. The probe by IPOA represents a critical step, but its outcome will be closely watched as a measure of Kenya's commitment to ending the pervasive issue of police impunity and ensuring justice for victims of brutality.