Kenya is Worse Than Mexico on Police Killings - Report

Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome
Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome
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The Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI) raised the alarm over rising cases of police brutality and extrajudicial killings in Kenya. 

According to the report, Kenyan police officers recorded a higher number of civilian killings compared to officers in Mexico, Brazil and El Salvador.

The report questioned whether the use of lethal force by the National Police Service (NPS) in Kenya was a question of whether their actions were proportionate to the levels of violence and the danger inherent in police work.

Moreover, the report also questioned whether the police officers acted out of excessive and abusive use of power.

A photo collage of officers training at the Border Police Training Campus (BPTC) in Kanyonyo, Kitui County on February 23, 2023.
A photo collage of officers training at the Border Police Training Campus (BPTC) in Kanyonyo, Kitui County on February 23, 2023.
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William Ruto

“Kenya recorded a 3.9 index in deaths for every injury in police use of lethal force, which was higher than Brazil, Mexico and El Salvador, which are known for their pattern of excessive use of force.

“Another disturbing pattern is that the proportion of all homicides resulting from police shootings is 5.5 per cent in Kenya, a value about 3 times higher than that of South Africa,” the statement read in part 

Additionally, the report proposed that it was necessary for investigations to be done to determine whether cases of injuries in police interventions were more under-reported than cases of deaths.

It was noted that the highest number of victims shot and killed by police in the country were in the main metropolitan areas such as Nairobi and Mombasa.

“In other words, Mombasa and Nairobi concentrate the use of lethal force by police, and this cannot be explained away simply as a result of their population,” the report further detailed. 

As a solution, the report recommended the improvement of training and access to less-lethal weapons for public order policing to ensure the minimum use of force and firearms. 

NANHRI recommended a thorough investigation of cases where there is an indication of the possibility of summary execution.

“It is also important to study possible measures to prevent the deaths of individuals in police custody, such as medical and psychological evaluations or the installation of cameras,” the report added. 

A recently reported case of misuse of power by police officers highlighted a case of an officer who was captured on camera pulling out a gun during a heated argument with a truck driver on the road.

Responding to the incident, the Inspector General of Police, Japhet Koome on February 25, stated that the incident was under review and the officer would face appropriate internal disciplinary action.

"We regret the incident and reiterate that the behaviour exhibited by the officer does not reflect the core values of NPS, more so during this reform period," Koome stated. 

Kenya Police officers during a pass out parade.
Kenya Police officers during a pass out parade.
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