Inside Nakuru project to mend broken police, Gen-Z relations

Human Rights groups in Nakuru have launched a six-month project to mend broken relationships between the National Police Service and youths famously known as Generation Z (Gen Zs).

Led by Midrift Human Rights Network, the organisers say that the animosity between the police and the Gen Zs will make officers accountability impossible.

Speaking to The Standard, Calvin Muga, an official from Midrift, said the mandate of the organisation in the project is to improve security and end violent extremism in the South Rift region and beyond.

"The project aims to promote community-based policing engagements that enhance customer-centered service delivery," said Muga.

He said the project will be piloted and implemented in Nakuru East and Nakuru West constituencies before it is expanded to other regions.

Muga said that the action was necessitated by the growing animosity between the police and the Gen Zs following the June 2024 protests that saw some Gen Zs lose their lives while others were injured.

"In retaliation, we saw the Gen Zs invade Parliament on June 25 and destroyed homes and properties of MPs who voted for the Finance Bill 2024," said Muga. A report by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights indicated that 60 people died and 66 others are still missing to date.

He noted that the youths who were angry with police officers threw stones at them provoking the officers further. Muga said they will engage the National Police Service, Independent Policing Oversight Authority, Judiciary, the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution, civil societies and Community Policing Committee.

"We will hold meetings, do groundwork, and train police officers on Standard Operations Procedure and Human Rights-based policing to enhance service and accountability," he said.

The project, according to Midrift, will reach out to over 240 direct beneficiaries and over 1,000 indirect beneficiaries.

Upholding rule of law

The organisation will also try to improve police professionalism, collaboration, and trustworthiness with communities by upholding the rule of law, good governance, and respect for human rights.

"The police must be able to deal with victims of gender-based violence, sexual assault, and other vulnerable groups without intimidation, discrimination or favoritism," he said.

Muga said by the end of the month, they expect police to engage with the youths.

Hannah Maina said they lost their friends and loved ones in the hands of police officers and it will take time to mend the relationship.

She, however, said that it is in the interest of the wider public that the police and youths engage in a solution rather than continue working in silos.

She said that one of the steps that may bring police and the public together will be through games where they can engage informally and speak about real issues.