This archive report was first published on 21 June 2020.
On June 21, 2020, Inspector-General of Police Hillary Mutyambai launched a new initiative to engage directly with Kenyans via Twitter. Every two weeks, on Mondays, he will be available between 11 a.m. and 12 noon to respond to questions and concerns.
According to Mutyambai, the move is in response to public outcry over various issues affecting the National Police Service (NPS). He aims to bolster existing structures of engagement and improve services to the public.
"There has been a clamor by the public to have a closer and keener engagement with the National Police Service (NPS). I have taken note of that and will be dedicating an hour every alternate Monday to engage with you personally on a live Twitter chat #EngageTheIG," he stated.
During these sessions, Mutyambai will be open to suggestions and will take note of issues that may need urgent attention from his office and from the public. He vowed to attend to matters of urgency immediately.
However, the announcement was met with skepticism as hundreds of Kenyans immediately responded with horrific videos of police brutality. Many shared their personal experiences with the police, including instances of corruption and abuse of power.
One user, Timothy Osongo, suggested that police stations should not charge complainants for recording statements and stationery. This was a common theme among the responses, with many lauding Mutyambai for trying to reach out to citizens directly.
Kenya has witnessed numerous instances of police brutality, including the death of 13-year-old Yassin Hussein Moyo in March 2020. His father, Hussein Moyo, told the press that his son was standing on the third-floor balcony when a stray bullet struck him.
There have been countless similar instances that have led to revolts and demonstrations against the violence meted out by members of the NPS.
