In pursuit of democratic policing

Abstract

Police reforms in Kenya took on a new impetus following the unprofessional and unethical behaviour of the police in their response to the violence that followed the country’s presidential elections in December 2007. Against that backdrop there was a clamour for police reforms that pursued democratic policing to re-orient the police force into a national police service that acted professionally, respected human rights and the rule of law, and served in the interest of all Kenyans. This article outlines, describes, and analytically reviews and assesses the outcomes of the police reforms that have been implemented, in that regard, over the past six years in Kenya. It finds some key achievements in police reforms. However, it also finds there is still a far way to go to rid the police of their bad habits. Corruption, brutality, the sometimes senseless and wanton use of firearms, for example, are still rampant and are inconsistent with democratic policing.