Successes and failures of Kavuludi's National Police Service Commission

National Police Service Commission chairman Johnston Kavulundi. The commission’s term ended in September 2018. [File, Standard]

The terms of service of the inaugural commissioners of National Police Service Commission (NPSC) ended in September 2018. The Johnston Kavuludi-led commission served at a vital time — when Kenya was attempting to transform policing from a force into a professional and accountable service that abides by the rule of law and human rights.

Many have observed the initial design of the police, since its inception by the British in the early part of the last century up to the promulgation of the Constitution in 2010, was more concerned in the preservation and protection of the colonial state, or the government of the day, rather than protection of law, order, life and dignity of the people. Contrary to legitimate expectations, Kenya’s independence and governance by black Africans never changed this objective.