Groups root for police reform

A shortage of police officers and equipment will be a major impediment in implementing the Bill of Rights, human rights activists said on Sunday.

A Kenya National Commission on Human Rights official, Mr Hassan Omar and Muslim for Human Rights executive director Mr Hussein Khalid said they were greatly concerned about the police force’s capability to enforce the Bill of Rights under the new constitution.

Mr Omar said, unlike in the past, the police had to learn to respect and safeguard the rights of suspects until they were proven guilty in a court of law.

“We are asking police to ensure a suspect is brought to court as soon as possible. This should not be more than 24 hours after the arrest or the person should be released on bond or bail pending a charge or trial,” said Mr Omar.

He said lack of goodwill among police officers and sufficient equipment at their disposal would be a major hurdle to the enforcement of the law.

Stumbling block

Mr Khalid, on the other hand, said the government should equip forensic laboratories to ensure investigations were done promptly.

“Inadequate equipment in some areas will be a big stumbling block to ensuring a suspect is arraigned in court on time,” said Mr Khalid.

He said the ratio of officers to citizens was below required international regulations. “The ratio in Kenya stands at one to every 1,200 citizens while international rule stipulates that one officer polices 400 citizens.

“We feel Kenyans will not have adequate security and in case of an incident, police do not have adequate officers to conduct investigations on time,” said Mr Khalid.

Under the new constitution, every person has a right to assemble and demonstrate to fight for his or her rights.

Last week, Officers Commanding Police Divisions were instructed by Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere to ensure that their juniors read and understand the Bill of Rights.