Experts: Broken justice system fuelling violence

The endless challenges encountered by lawless people seems not to be ending even in glaring face of the police in public areas. Some might be fortunate to be saved by police, others beaten by mob justice while others may be given chance to explain themselves.[FILE/Standard]

Experts who spoke to The Standard agree on the urgent need to restore public confidence in the criminal justice system, whose reputation has been tainted by entrenched corruption.

According to Dr Elijah Kirimi, a lecturer and consultant in psychology and criminology, the fight against mob justice begins with public enlightenment.

He says citizens must be empowered with knowledge about human rights, lawful avenues for redress, and the moral dangers of vigilante action.

"Schools, religious institutions, media platforms and communal gatherings must become agents of civic reawakening, reminding citizens that true justice is never impulsive; it is measured, evidence-based and accountable," says Dr Kirimi.

Equally critical is restoring trust in formal justice systems. Dr Kirimi notes that when courts are slow, corrupt, or inaccessible, mob violence thrives, but when justice is swift, impartial and visible, public confidence in institutions is restored.

Police visibility must also improve, not as a show of force but as a sign of protection and partnership.

Strengthening community-police relations is key to bridging the historical mistrust that often fuels mob actions.

Proactive intervention is essential. Dr Kirimi emphasizes that community elders, chiefs and local opinion leaders should be trained not only in conflict resolution but also in detecting early signs of mob escalation.

"Their voice, when backed by authority and trust, can defuse a crowd before it explodes," he says while emphasising the need to establish emergency response hotlines to facilitate swift law enforcement deployment when a situation begins to boil.

"And we cannot ignore the structural factors that create the breeding ground for such violence. Where there is injustice and hopelessness, the temptation for mob action is greatest. Finally, in our digital age, where rumours travel faster than facts, social media must be both a tool and a solution," adds Dr Kirimi.

Community policing

Dr Kirimi thinks mob injustice is a potent cocktail of psychological distortions, ignited by pain, inflamed by injustice, and legitimised by a crowd seeking catharsis rather than truth.

"In its wake, it leaves broken lives, fractured communities, and a weakened society where the rule of law is diminished," he says.

Criminal lawyer Ndegwa Njiru says mob justice is a tangled and multi-faceted issue authorities seem unbothered to address.

He says public trust in justice institutions has eroded, despite the Constitution requiring all, including the President, to uphold the rule of law.

"Mob injustice is a reflection of what is currently happening in the country; people are angry, extra-judicial killings are now too common, and institutions that were to address societal challenges have lost independence," he notes.

According to Ndegwa, there is need to engage the public in civic education for them to understand that a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent court of law.