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It’s time to enact new police reforms
EACC
Police officers march during past national celebrations. PHOTO/Print

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Since its establishment in the early 19th century, the National Police Service has gone through so many transformative processes geared towards making it responsive to the needs of Kenyans.


From the findings of the Commission of Inquiry on Post- Election Violence (CIPEV), better known as the Waki Report; the Independent Review Commission, also referred to as the Kriegler Report to the Johnstone Kavuludi-led National Police Service Commission, all the recommendations seem to have been left to rot on the shelves in various government offices.


One of the best reports ever formulated was by Justice (Rtd) Philip Ransley, who came up with 200 recommendations that included the transformation of the National Police Force into the National Police Service, the creation of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority and the current new ranking system.
Various task forces have come up with proposals calling for police vetting as a measure to reform the service, hold police officers accountable for abuses, and support professionalism among its rank and file.


There is a growing fear among members of the public, the civil society and Opposition, that the police are insulated from accountability demands for which all the reform processes are supposed to achieve.
Save for the change of the police uniform not much can be said of reforms in the police service.


Corruption, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances and blatant abuse of human rights by officers still remain the hallmark of NPS.


The new report by retired Chief Justice David Maraga provides a fresh opportunity for Kenyans to holistically look at NPS and put in place the necessary mechanisms required to make the service more efficient and friendlier to the public.


Besides coming up with radical proposals such as the fresh vetting of all the top police bosses, Just Maraga’s report identifies challenges faced by the Kenya Prisons and National Youth Service and prescribes their antidotes. It should not be left to rot on shelves in government offices like such previous reports.


Justice Maraga’s efforts should be rewarded with vigorous action from President William Ruto’s administration by implementing the report to its letter and spirit.

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