In Kenya, the police force has been criticized for participating in thuggish acts to assist politicians in suppressing opposition gatherings. Recent incidents involve church raids and public meeting disruptions. This undermines their constitutional duty to protect citizens' rights.
According to a report in Taifa Leo, Kenya's police service, constitutionally mandated to remain impartial and non-partisan, has been implicated in colluding with thuggish elements to disrupt opposition events. This is viewed as a violation of the Constitution and the rule of law.
Recent episodes include the incursion at ACK Witima Church in Nyeri County during a service attended by opposition figures led by Rigathi Gachagua. Officers deployed tear gas inside the church, an act decried as infringing on the right to worship and disrespecting religious institutions.
On Sunday, at a public rally organized by the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) faction under Nairobi Senator and party Secretary General Edwin Sifuna in Kitengela, police used tear gas to scatter supporters. Rather than safeguarding the constitutional right to peaceful assembly, officers appeared to enforce political directives.
The situation repeated itself the previous day in Nairobi's Nyamakima area, where an opposition meeting featuring Kalonzo Musyoka and Rigathi Gachagua was broken up with tear gas. These events suggest police are aligning with thugs instead of apprehending them and bringing them to court.
Such actions raise serious questions about police independence and accountability. If security institutions become politicized tools, democracy faces risks, and public trust in state bodies may erode. Government leaders must respect police autonomy, while officers recall their oath to defend the Constitution without bias.