This archive report was first published on 28 July 2019.
On a recent visit to a police station on the outskirts of Nairobi's CBD, I witnessed firsthand the need for a facelift of our police stations. The station was overcrowded, with no seats for those waiting to be served. But what struck me most was the lack of privacy for those seeking service.
As I waited in line, a woman in her mid-fifties shared her story of domestic violence with the policewoman behind the counter. The conversation was conducted in full view of everyone in the station, including other police officers who were busy on their mobile phones. The woman was visibly embarrassed and ill at ease.
The policewoman's line of questioning was thorough, but it was conducted in a public space, without any regard for the woman's privacy. She asked for the woman's name, address, phone number, and her husband's phone number, as well as details of the abuse she had suffered.
It was a painful and humiliating experience for the woman, and it highlighted the need for police stations to provide a more private and dignified space for those seeking service. As one woman who had been raped would later face, the same kind of interrogation in a public space would be unbearable.
It's time for our government to prioritize the needs of its citizens and provide police stations with the resources they need to provide a more private and dignified service. A simple room with a door that closes would go a long way in making a difference.
