Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja.
By Peter Mwibanda.
NAIROBI, Kenya (IP) — A majority of Kenyans have lost trust in the country’s police force, according to a new national survey that exposes a deepening crisis fueled by corruption, brutality and the collapse of community policing initiatives.
The survey, conducted by the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) in partnership with the National Crime Research Centre, found that more than 68% of respondents expressed little to no confidence in the police.
Respondents cited rampant bribery, extortion, arbitrary arrests and fears of retaliation as core reasons for their distrust.
Among the key findings:
68% said they do not trust the police.
74% of rural residents and 65% of urban residents said police presence made them feel unsafe.
82% of youth aged 18–35 said they would not report a crime, fearing extortion or retaliation.
Only 19% believe police uphold the law fairly and impartially.
The survey comes amid nationwide protests, rising allegations of extrajudicial killings, and growing reports of enforced disappearances — all of which have further strained relations between the public and the security forces.
“The police are supposed to be protectors of the people,” said Dr. Grace Wanjiku, a criminologist at the University of Nairobi.
“But what we are seeing is fear, abuse of power, and widespread impunity. When community policing fails and officers are seen as threats, the social contract collapses.”
Corruption at the Core.
Corruption emerged as the leading cause of distrust. Respondents recounted paying bribes to report crimes, secure bail, or avoid false charges.
“I’ve never reported a crime,” said Benson Omondi, a boda boda rider in Kisumu. “Because they’ll ask for money to ‘open the file,’ and even then, nothing happens. You’re better off handling things yourself.”
While reforms such as body cameras and the creation of civilian oversight boards were intended to restore confidence, the majority of respondents viewed them as symbolic and unenforced.
Community Policing: A Broken Promise
The government’s flagship Nyumba Kumi (Ten Houses) program — aimed at enhancing community-police collaboration — has largely collapsed.
Over 70% of respondents said they had never interacted with a community policing officer or participated in a safety meeting.
“They announced Nyumba Kumi like it was the magic bullet,” said Millicent Achieng of Kibera. “But we never saw them again. We only see the police when they’re arresting someone — or worse.”
A Call for Overhaul.
Human rights groups are calling for sweeping reforms — including public vetting of officers, increased transparency, and stronger prosecutions of rogue officers.
“This trust deficit cannot be ignored any longer,” said Irungu Houghton, executive director of Amnesty International Kenya. “Kenya cannot claim to be a democracy while its people are afraid of those in uniform.”
The Interior Ministry has not responded to the findings, but insiders at the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) say misconduct investigations have surged by more than 40% since January.
As Kenyans continue to protest and demand justice, one question echoes louder than ever: Who will police the police?
Ends.
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