Law Enforcement?

In this post there are two videos that will shed light on the corruption that thrives within the Kenyan Police system. They are the people who are supposed to enforce the laws and uphold the protection of Kenyan's rights but instead are the leaders who fuel and sustain thievery on the ground. In the U.S., being a police officer is the job of a hero. Men and women in uniform are looked up to, respected and valued as a member of society. Here, holding a position within the police force is done as a last resort to provide the basic needs of life.Their monthly salary is around 20,000ksh ($250usd) which is equivalent to the stipend that KNCHR interns receive. There are measures being taken to increase the salary and other conditions for security sector employees but in general, the morale and commitment to their duties are extremely low. Police make up for the lack of internal support by stealing the money directly from the citizens pockets (see 1st video). Kenyan's have no respect for these corrupt bodies (see 2nd video) as they continue to break down progress made within the country. With the new constitution, Kenyans are granted freedoms under the Bill of rights but also need to be made aware that Rights come with Responsibilities. There is urgent need of Human Rights training, and change of the way policing is done.

Police Abusing the System


NTV is a Kenyan news corporation which carried the above story. Watch and see as the system that is supposed to be upholding and enforcing the laws of Kenya fuel the systems of corruption. Police Reform in Kenya should be at the top of everyone's list in order for the country to develop to it's full potential.
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In the Next Video, the driver was flagged down by the traffic policeman for a routine check and inspection. He was instructed to drive to the police station but refused, resulting in this battle. Roadside officers do not carry weapons and are the same individuals shown in the 1st video. Notice the people at the matatu stage just watching and heckling the officer as he struggles to detain the driver. The video below raises many Human Rights issues both for members of the public and police officers.

Police being Abused



ARTICLE: NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 13 -
A traffic police officer found himself on the receiving end in Nairobi, after a motorist he had flagged down for an alleged traffic offense rained blows on him in full view of a cheering crowd. Members of the public were treated to a rare movie-like scene when the truck driver left the lorry in the middle of the busy Thika-Nairobi Highway.Witnesses told GBS television the officer had flagged the truck down and soon after inspecting it, attempted to board it after ordering that it be driven to the Kasarani police station. The 7 am incident that occurred on Wednesday caused a traffic snarl up on the busy highway that is under construction as motorists slowed down to catch a glimpse of the unusual scenario. Some passengers in matatus heckled and booed the officer who unsuccessfully tried to handcuff the truck driver.Other people just watched in disbelief and not even matatu conductors who gathered at the scene helped the policeman out. In the incident that lasted for over 10 minutes, the truck driver managed to drive away but was arrested a few meters away by other traffic police officers who helped take their colleague to hospital.

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UPDATE:  January 19 2011

As I key in the year 2011, I am stupefied at the content in the following story. I would think such happenings are a part of the distant past in our globalized society - then again I am an American who happens to forget the unfortunate (understatement) circumstances other countries face daily. Note to all who are reading this: I promise I am safe!!!!

Police Abuse the Right to Life - Three men executed in Nairobi

Take the link to the News Story with details in pictures of three men wrongfully executed by the Kenyan Police. The pictures that are up now are not the same as the ones published in the newspaper on Thursday, January 20th - those published were not censored and unveiled the brutal murder scene in bloody detail.

A day before this happened, our commission held a press conference to denounce the abuse of those who serve within Kenya's security sector. You can imagine our commissioners astonishment when they woke up to the news of "the executions" in Nairobi. Kenya's people are disgusted, heartbroken and completely unsurprised by the news of such events. Luckily, I work in an institution that can do something about such events. We are holding a press conference tomorrow and are also energized to push even harder as we initiate some of our security sector reform projects. I will surely update this post as the events ensue.

From the story, it is understood the police have been issuing false statements that completely contradict the original eye witness evidence. This proves the point, again, of how corrupt the law enforcement system is. Imagine a person has footage, documentation and other proof of such cases - where do they go to report these offenses? Do they go to the police station where the protocol is to cover up anyone's dirty, or bloody, tracks in order to remain in a position of power? Are these tactics and strategies of law enforcement actually taught while these men and women go through academy training?

The follow up article HERE answers some of these questions but leaves much doubt in the road to justice for the three men who were shot so carelessly.

Throughout all of the New Constitution Implementation and Realization of Democratic Rights granted to the Kenyan Citizens, I strongly believe no progress will be made in this country unless the entire security sector is wiped out, rebuilt and reformed. After all, they are the body that enforces these new laws so they should be the upstanding citizens setting examples for the entire country. But how?