A Town Hall forum convened by the International Justice Mission (IJM – Kenya) and broadcast live on Citizen TV exposes the malady that has perennially beleaguered efforts to steer Kenya’s policing services to higher standards of professionalism. The Monday night discussion was christened Justice System Response to Police Accountability.
A deeply entrenched culture within the police has birthed abuse of power, use of excessive force and failure to be accountable, posing a challenge to professional policing in Kenya, Independent Policing Oversight Authority Chairperson Ahmed Issack Hassan has observed.
And the existence of institutions and statutes alone is not enough to adequately check these ills and ensure Kenyans have trust and confidence in law enforcement.
However, IPOA is stepping forward with a renewed sense of duty under its new Strategic Plan 2025 – 2030 to correct the decades old setbacks, the Chairperson further assured the audience that converged at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Nursing Hall, Kenyatta National Hospital and other Kenyans who followed the national broadcast at home.
Mr Hassan told the participants who included human rights defenders, survivors and victims of police excesses, police oversight partners, students, and concerned citizens that despite numerous challenges, the Authority was coming up with innovative ideas to tackle complaints against the police.
The Townhall advocated for sweeping reforms to enhance police accountability, increase funding for oversight bodies and establish comprehensive victim support services, following a sobering IJM baseline study in September.
The report exposed that at least 42.9% of Kenyans have experienced police abuse, with a staggering 56% having faced extortion or corruption in the hands of police, with 63% of those who suffer never reporting it, out of fear, frustration, or the strong belief that nothing will come of it anyway.
During the discussion, Mr Hassan reiterated that the road to police accountability starts with the root; the recruitment of police constables and training.
Beyond structure and strategy, he said, every Kenyan working in and around policing in Kenya including whether it is the civil society, oversight bodies, the media, and the Service itself, must recognize they are working for one goal.
“We are all working for the people of Kenya,” he said, “Whether it’s IPOA, NPS, CSOs or even the media. The goal is one. Service delivery and quality lives for all Kenyans,”
Mr Hassan noted that since its inception, IPOA has received 34,988 complaints. From those complaints, over 40 police officers have been convicted an indication of the Authority’s commitment to justice for the people and accountability in the Service, despite challenges such as understaffing, budgetary constraints, and a limited physical presence in the counties.
“We must be facilitated to spread to all counties,” he urged, “so that the Authority’s services can be within the reach of every Kenyan,”
IJM Kenya Country Director Vincent Chahale emphasized the role of information in driving desired change. “We need to boost coordination and data sharing. Policy is informed by data,” he said. “We must invest in research and data so that the policies we make in the NPS are grounded in what people experience. And we must also invest in technology.”
Former Police Spokesperson Charles Owino while sharing his insights rooted in his own years in the Service, highlighted the significance of the Authority. IPOA, he said, is often misunderstood as an adversary to the police, when in fact, it plays a crucial role in supporting their professionalism and even advocating for their welfare. “IPOA is a very important institution for the police,” Mr. Owino said, “Not only for oversighting what they have done against the public, but also advocating for their welfare and their own support as a Service. We have better housing for police because of IPOA’s voice and efforts.”
Feedback from the participants confirmed that the journey towards a reformed Service must be walked together.