IMPLICATIONS OF POLICE REFORMS ON HUMAN RIGHTS PRACTICE IN KENYA; PRE-ENDEPENDENCE-1978
IMPLICATIONS OF POLICE REFORMS ON HUMAN RIGHTS PRACTICE IN KENYA; PRE-ENDEPENDENCE-1978
Nelson Mugweru Njiri - Department of International Relations, Conflict and Strategic Studies, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Susan Waiyego Mwangi - Department of History and Archaeological Studies, Kenyatta University, Kenya
Joseph Otieno Wasonga - Department of International Relations, Conflict and Strategic Studies, Kenyatta University, Kenya
ABSTRACT
The determinations by the civil society and donor agencies of prevailing upon the government to initiate police reforms have resulted into minimal success. Although a significant impetus to reform the police was given serious consideration in the early 1990s, efforts to reform police force began way back during the colonial period. Since colonial period police reforms have been influenced by the desire for an expanded democratic space and respect for human rights. However, studies have not discerned the trends in police reforms and their implications on human rights in Kenya. Therefore, this paper examined the trends in police reforms in Kenya and their implications on the practice of human rights during the colonial period up to 1978. The analysis of the findings revealed that the police force in Kenya emerged as early as 1900s as a colonial tool which after independence did not change much as acts of human rights violation were profound. However, it was noted that despite inheriting a colonial police structure, several amendments were initiated during the Kenyatta’s regime making strides in observing of human rights. Amendments such as the preventive detention Act did not only change the structure of the police force but laws were also enacted to ensure the protection of human rights. The findings may provide useful information on the consequences of police reforms on the practice of human rights issues in Kenya and may form a basis for further research.
