Supporting the police in Kenya

Context

Despite a relatively stable political situation, Kenya faces significant security threats ranging from terrorist attacks to organised crime. The Kenyan police lack efficient structures to counter these threats, which undermines the population’s trust in the law enforcement authorities. The fact that sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) remains largely unpunished and children are abducted also jeopardises social cohesion.

Kenya has been reforming its national police since 2010 in order to create a professional, citizen-oriented and transparent police service that is committed to the rule of law and consistently prosecutes sexual criminal offences. The country also wants to expand regional cooperation. This reform process has not yet been completed.

Objective

The Kenyan and regional police authorities have sufficient institutional and human resources to curb sexual and gender-based violence, serious crimes and cross-border organised crime. They act in accordance with the principles of the rule of law and in a citizen-oriented manner.

Approach

The programme has been supporting police reforms in Africa since 2009. It has been working with Kenya since 2019 to specifically prevent sexual and gender-based violence and protect victims. To this end, the programme supports the Kenyan Criminal Investigation Department, the gender desks in the police stations and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority.

Another focus is on cooperation efforts with the Kenyan Ministry of Health as well as national and international non-governmental organisations such as Lawyers Without Borders. Specialised training courses are designed to teach healthcare staff how to provide respectful care for SGBV survivors while gathering evidence that will stand up in court.

Last update: May 2024