According to a survey conducted by Trends and Insights For Africa (TIFA), a majority of Kenyans believe that police employed excessive force in handling protesters during recent demonstrations across the country. The report, released on Thursday, July 18, 2024, highlighted widespread concerns among respondents regarding police actions perceived to violate protesters’ rights.
Nairobi emerged as the region with the highest criticism, with 90 percent of surveyed respondents expressing that security officers used excessive force during the protests. The Nyanza region followed closely with 86 percent, while Central region ranked third with 80 percent of respondents noting similar concerns.
“The perception of excessive force used by the police during protests is widespread, with significant concerns highlighted in the Nairobi and Nyanza regions,” TIFA’s survey report read in part.
“This sentiment reflects deep-rooted issues regarding law enforcement practices and raises critical questions about the balance between maintaining order and respecting the rights of protesters,” it added.
In the Eastern region, 76 percent of respondents interviewed by TIFA indicated that police used excessive force, thereby violating protesters’ rights during recent anti-government demonstrations.
In the Rift Valley region, 65 percent of those surveyed reported that security officers used force during the protests, while 24 percent believed the level of force used was appropriate. Eleven percent of respondents were unsure whether police acted forcefully or professionally during the protests in this region.
Criticism has been leveled at the police for their use of excessive force across various parts of Kenya during the demonstrations. Several deaths recorded during the protests have been attributed to police actions.
President William Ruto, in a media roundtable interview, reassured the nation that any officer found guilty of using excessive force would face prosecution.
Meanwhile, the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched investigations into multiple cases of police shootings during the protests. IPOA recently appealed for public assistance in locating police officers involved in the shooting of Rex Masai Kanyike, the first reported fatality during the protests.
The TIFA survey, conducted from July 16 to July 17, 2024, included 1,507 respondents aged 18 and above. Responses were gathered through telephone interviews conducted at the household level.
According to the TIFA survey findings, a majority of respondents expressed support for the removal of the army from the streets as a measure to calm the protests.
“The broad support for withdrawing the army from the streets indicates a preference for non-military methods in managing protestors.”
