Kenyan security forces have been busy this week with the Inspector General of Police calling for greater collaboration between the public and police, the rescue of an abducted schoolteacher by Kenyan soldiers, mass transfers of police officers due to alleged corruption and the removal of sixty-three senior police officers. Additionally, Muslim clerics, scholars and journalists continue to voice concerns over alleged misconduct by police towards Muslim citizens, especially Muslim youth. Finally, thousands of refugees in Kenya’s Dadaab Refugee Camp have returned home in the last year.
Kenya’s Security – Rescue, Vetting, and Corruption
Police in the city of Eldoret faced criticism early last week for arbitrarily dumping 100 Eldoret youth in Busia town roughly 80 miles away. Meanwhile, the National Police Service Commission announced that sixty-three senior police officers were found unsuitable to serve and were therefore removed from office with a further twenty-nine waiting to undergo another round of vetting. In light of the particularly unstable relationship between police and the public, the Inspector General of the Police is seeking greater collaboration with the public to strengthen their partnership to fight crime. A few days after this announcement, 140 police officers were transferred due to allegations of corruption. In a show of strength, Kenya’s Military Forces successfully rescued a teacher who had been kidnapped by Al Shabaab.
Ochieng, Gilbert and Brian Ojamaa. “Police dump 100 Eldoret youth in Busia town.” The Star. October 13, 2015.
Kaikai, Anthony. “63 police bosses axed from force after vetting.” KBC. October 15, 2015.
KBC Reporter. “Boinett calls for police, public partnership to fight crime.” KBC. October 16, 2015.
Jacob, Elkana. “140 cops transferred from Mombasa Port over corruption, tribalism.” The Star. October 19, 2015.
“Soldiers rescue abducted teacher from suspected ‘al Shabaab’.” Coastweek. October 20, 2015.
Kenyan Police, Terrorism, and Muslim Youth
Muslim clerics, scholars and journalists have expressed concern over Kenya’s security approach to Muslim citizens, especially Muslim youth. After numerous disappearances and allegations of torture, many Muslim leaders are calling for more non-violent approaches.
Mghenyi, Charles. “Use words not force in terror war.” The Star. October 13, 2015
“Muslim suspects face rough justice in Kenya’s war on terror.” Daily Sabah. October 11, 2015
“Kenyan Muslims Decry Injustice.” On Islam. October 11, 2015.
Somali Refugees
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees reported that as many as 5,000 Somali refugees have left Kenya’s Dadaab Refugee Camp and returned home. As many as 4,500 more are expected to return home from the camp in the coming months.
Mohamed, Adow. “5,000 refugees have gone back to Somalia.” The Star. October 19, 2015.
The views expressed by Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice Interns are those of the author and are not necessarily those of the IPJ or of the University of San Diego.