This archive report was first published on 16 August 2021.
Kenya's Killer Police: A Threat to Tourism and National Image ¶
On August 9, the United States State Department issued a travel advisory warning Americans to reconsider visiting Kenya due to Covid-19, crime, terrorism, health issues, and kidnapping.
The advisory highlights the risks of violent crime, including armed carjacking, mugging, home invasion, and kidnapping, which can occur at any time. Local police often lack the resources and training to respond effectively to serious criminal incidents.
The Kenyan police's reputation has been marred by allegations of bribery, kidnappings, extrajudicial killings, and extortion, which have led to a decline in tourism and a loss of credibility for the country.
According to the Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA), the police force is plagued by a culture of impunity, with officers often acting with reckless abandon and disregarding human rights.
The recent police reforms were cosmetic and did not address the root causes of the problem. Instead of providing stun guns to replace live bullets, the police were given new uniforms, which is a clear indication that the reforms were not genuine.
It is time for the government to take concrete steps to reform the police force and ensure that it is accountable to the people. This includes providing adequate training, resources, and equipment to the police, as well as establishing an independent oversight body to investigate complaints of police misconduct.
Only then can Kenya hope to restore its reputation and attract tourists and investors who are deterred by the country's poor human rights record.
Ms. Guyo is a legal researcher.
