Is the police a service or a force?

That Kenyans embraced the promulgation of the new constitution in August, 2010 is no doubt a good thing. Ideally seen as a new dawn after pitch darkness, the new constitution was ratified with high optimism that it would guarantee absolute protection to the right of the voter who ensured it’s ratification by the power of the ballot. Entrenched in the very constitution is the bill of rights which allows for peaceful demonstration and picketing. Unfortunately, the police don’t seem to understand their obligation under the bill of rights.

Just recently, the National Police Service was yet again on the spotlight for alleged torture of civilians. In a report released by the Independent Medical Legal Unit (IMLU) on the state of torture incidences in Kenya, the Police Service topped the list as the largest perpetrators of torture in Kenya. As usual, the police spokesperson, Charles Owino was seen defending the very brutal force that claims to be a service.