This archive report was first published on 8 June 2020.
On June 8, 2020, the world witnessed a tragic event that would shake the very foundations of society. The death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer in the US sparked widespread outrage and calls for justice.
As a parent, I was shocked to learn about the incident from my son, who was deeply disturbed by the brutality and lack of humanity displayed by the police officers. The case has since become a priority in our daily family conversations, and I must admit that I was initially unaware of the gravity of the situation.
George Floyd's crime was to purchase a pack of cigarettes using a fake $20 note, which led to a series of events culminating in his suffocation by a police officer. The reaction to the events has demonstrated the magnitude of the time bomb in the US and a pointer to the entire world about injustice in society.
Police brutality is a concern for many societies, including Kenya. The 2007 and 2017 elections in Kenya were accompanied by massive complaints about police brutality, and the current coronavirus pandemic has seen the level of force used by the police to enforce the curfew resulting in injuries and deaths.
While the majority of police officers do a good job under difficult circumstances, there is a policing philosophy that is still ingrained in their approach to work. This philosophy forgets the concept of presumption of innocence, focuses on force as the basis of enforcing laws, and forgets that human beings are rational creatures.
The death of George Floyd and the subsequent demonstrations and destruction of property must be traced to the failure of the authorities to deal with rogue elements in the police force and seek to punish them for their misdeeds.
The events have also highlighted the levels of inequality and divisions in society, including racial divides in the US and tribal lines in Kenya. These fissures are exploited for political ends, making politics toxic and dangerous.
It is essential that every country seeks to build a more inclusive society, providing all citizens with a fair chance and ensuring that government services are accessed based on clear and well-laid-down procedures, not based on political persuasions or tribal or ethnic affiliations.
Public service must be about respect for rules and inspirational leadership, not the era of using brute force to subdue the citizenry. Any efforts to apply such tools to govern offend all international norms and endanger the lives of all citizens, including innocent public servants.
