Kenya has been ranked among the countries with the least professional police forces in Africa, according to a recent Afrobarometer Report.
The country placed third from the bottom, with only 18% of respondents expressing confidence in the police force’s professionalism.
Nigeria and Congo-Brazzaville fared worse than Kenya, scoring 17% and 13%, respectively. Conversely, Burkina Faso, Morocco, and Benin topped the list with scores of 68%, 64%, and 61%.
In East Africa, Tanzania led the region and ranked ninth overall, with a score of 53%, highlighting a significant contrast in police professionalism within the region.
The report, conducted between 2021 and 2023 across 39 African nations, paints a troubling picture of public trust in law enforcement.
On average, only one in three African citizens expressed faith in their police force’s ability to uphold the rule of law and maintain order.
Kenya’s low ranking comes amid heightened scrutiny of its police force following several high-profile incidents.
In the wake of anti-Finance Bill protests in June 2024, Kenyan police faced widespread criticism for their handling of demonstrations, particularly allegations of brutality and abductions.
Videos of police violence against protesters, including during recent demonstrations against femicide, sparked public outrage. Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo even issued a public apology for the violence.
The report identified systemic corruption, police brutality, and a lack of professionalism as key issues hindering effective policing across the continent.
In terms of corruption, Kenya ranked 10th among African nations where police are most likely to solicit bribes, with 52% of respondents highlighting this concern. Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone were ranked as the top three countries with the most corrupt police forces.
Notably, North Africa recorded the highest levels of trust in their police forces, with 51% of respondents expressing confidence in law enforcement, while Central Africa had the lowest levels at 37%.
The findings underscore the urgent need for reforms in Kenya’s police force to rebuild public trust and address systemic issues that have eroded confidence in law enforcement.
