Suspicion between police, public fueling crime in Kisumu

 

Bad blood between police and the public is a major huddle in stamping out insecurity in Kisumu, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) has said.

The commission has attributed the recent cases of public-police conflicts, which have marred the area and in turn adversely affected the general security, to poor relationship and misunderstanding between the two sides.

The commission is now demanding that relevant authorities intervene and initiate dialogue between the police and public in a bid solve the escalating conflict.

According to the commission, the situation has caused limited cooperation and sharing of information between the two groups on security matters as well as mistrust and enmity.

Speaking in Kisumu during a public forum on security, commission vice chair George Morara noted that cases of police in the area using excessive force on the public are indications of the lost link between the two entities.

security strategies

"It cannot be that it is only in Kisumu where police use maximum force in their work while the citizens have legitimate issues they want to raise," said Morara.

He said reports on such conflicts cannot be ignored and must be addressed by relevant authorities so as to restore public confidence in the police.

"A strong message from Kisumu is what has always concerned us as a commission. There is need for the police and the local community to foster a different framework for engagement," he said.

The area has recorded increased cases of public-police conflicts with over five cases reported in the last ten months.

Various community organisations have recorded discontentment with the police and, according to the commission, the poor relationship is to blame for the increased suspicion and frequent accusations.

"As a commission we feel that the situation needs to be worked on to ensure a cordial partnership between police and the residents for the success of security strategies," Morara added.

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