This archive report was first published on 9 June 2020.
As the world grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic, Kenya is no exception. The country has been under lockdown, with various regulations and curfews in place to contain the spread of the virus. However, the implementation of these measures has been marred by corruption and hypocrisy, with some individuals, including those in positions of power, flouting the rules with impunity.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has been at the forefront of the fight against the pandemic, but his efforts have been hindered by the very people who are supposed to be enforcing the rules. The police service, in particular, has been criticized for its lack of integrity and probity, with some officers being complicit in undermining the government's efforts to contain the pandemic.
According to Robert Shaw, a public policy and economic analyst, the police service is in dire need of reform. In an article published on June 9, 2020, Shaw argued that the police service must be cleaned up, right from the National Police Service Commission to the officers, to effectively contain the pandemic and protect citizens.
Shaw pointed out that the police service is plagued by corruption, with some officers accepting bribes to grant permits and waivers to individuals who want to breach the containment measures. He also noted that the police service is in dire need of reform, with random lifestyle audits and improved terms of service for police officers being necessary to restore integrity and probity.
Shaw's article sparked a lively debate about the need for police reform in Kenya. While some people agreed with his sentiments, others argued that the police service is not the only institution that needs reform. However, one thing is clear: the police service must be cleaned up to effectively contain the pandemic and protect citizens.
