Two decades on, police reforms falter under politics, brutality

CaptionA protester outside the Nairobi Funeral home along Mbagathi way- Ngong road round-about demanding justice following Albert Ojwang's death while in police custody on June 9, 2025. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

The murder of Albert Ojwang’ while in custody has once again exposed the dark side of police — a malignant legacy that persists despite two decades of reform efforts that have largely remained elusive.

The first formal attempt at reforming the police service dates back to 2003 under President Mwai Kibaki’s administration. However, the real impetus came in the aftermath of the 2007–2008 post-election violence.