Long-awaited police reforms should be let to bear results

Police reforms have been on the cards for a long time since the promulgation of the Kenya Constitution 2010. Yet the gains, if any, have been piecemeal. Starting with the change of name from Police Force to Police Service, the formation of the Independent Policing Oversight Authority to the National Police Service, a lot of public expectation rode on those changes, but not much has been realised.

However, it seems as if something is now being done. At a conference with regional police commanders early this week, Internal Security Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i outlined measures put in place to make the Police Service more efficient. Among the measures are embracing a digital method of dealing with crime in real time and equipping the police forensic lab with state-of-the-art gear. Further, President Uhuru Kenyatta has received a proposal on the absorption of 22,000 Administration Police officers into the National Police Service.