From Force to Service

Articles 238, 239, 243, 247, 244 of the Constitution requires that there be a National Police Service regulated by the National Police Service Act. The National Police Service consist of such maximum number of officers as shall be determined from time to time by the National Security Council in consultation with the Commission.The history and evolution of the Kenya Police Service suggest a complex relationship with the various communities it serves. It requires a piecemeal approach even in discussion of its evolution from a police force to being a police service.

Colonial Period (1895 - 1963)

In the colonial period, the primary role of the police was to protect the interests of the British colonial administration and European settlers. This meant that the population, or "natives," were subjected to police enforced colonial laws. The idea at the time was to maintain the status quo of colonial rule. The police force was not focused on serving the interests of the indigenous population, rather on control and management to prevent resistance against colonial rule.

Post-Independence Period (1963 - Present)

Independence (1963) and Early Years

After Kenya gained independence in 1963, the Kenya Police Force became a national institution under the new government. The focus was to shift towards serving the entire population, including indigenous communities. However, the legacy of colonial policing practices and structures did not disappear. There were significant challenges in transforming the police Forces to be more inclusive and community-oriented.

Reforms and Modernization

Over the years, especially from the 1970s onwards, there were concerted efforts to reform and modernize the police Force. These reforms were mostly aimed to improve professionalism, reduce corruption, and enhance community relations between the police and the community they serve.

Multi-Party Era (1990s) and Beyond

The introduction of multi-party democracy in the early 1990s added complexity to the role of the police. There were instances where the police were accused of being used by the government to suppress political dissent. Sometimes it affected certain communities disproportionately. Despite this, there were efforts to make the police Force more accountable and community-focused.

Constitutional Reforms (2010)

The 2010 Constitution of Kenya brought significant changes aimed at transforming the police Force into a more accountable, transparent, and human rights-respecting institution. First the name was changed from a force to a Service to align with the new Constitutional dispensation. The establishment of the National Police Service Commission was a step to ensure that the police service serves all effectively and equitably.

Current Challenges and Efforts

Today, the Kenya Police Service faces ongoing challenges such as corruption, human rights abuses, and resource limitations. However, there are continuous efforts to improve the service, focusing on community policing and building trust with all communities, including indigenous populations.

Conclusion

The historical context shows that while the colonial police force was not primarily focused on service to the native population. Post-independence reforms aimed to make the Kenya Police Service more inclusive and community-oriented yield little to no results. The constitutional reforms of 2010 and subsequent modernization efforts are particularly notable to ensure that the police serve all Kenyan citizens, the were so-called "natives."

To fully realize this goal, it remains crucial for ongoing reforms to be honest so as to address the persistent issues of corruption, accountability, and human rights abuses.