This archive report was first published on 5 June 2020.
On June 5, 2020, Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang'i emphasized the importance of collective responsibility in improving the relationship between the police and the public.
Speaking at the Kenya School of Government in Kabete, Dr. Matiang'i stated that police officers who violate citizens' rights will face individual responsibility and be subjected to the law.
He rebuked the conduct of a handful of uncultured officers but cautioned against painting the entire Service with the same brush.
Dr. Matiang'i called on civil society groups, human rights activists, and the public to adopt an even-handed approach in reviewing the performance of the National Police Service uniformed personnel.
"We have challenges in our law enforcement, and we must all rise and start dealing with them collectively instead of creating a stigma around the police," Dr. Matiang'i said.
The Cabinet Secretary noted that while the police bear the burden of maintaining national security, their sacrifices are often underappreciated and most incidents in which officers are killed or assaulted go unreported.
He was critical of unsubstantiated claims about police misconduct, stating that others are often blown out of proportion without evidence to support the accusations.
Dr. Matiang'i said, "We won't run away from taking responsibility, but we will continue investigating the reports submitted by all our stakeholders and ultimately go the direction facts will take us."
