Police abuse of power in Kenya
We won’t stop until police are protectors from violence and not perpetrators of it.
The problem
Police abuse of power in Kenya
In Kenya, police officers can abuse their positions by taking advantage of the people they have taken an oath to serve and protect. Most police officers take their pledge seriously. But in many instances, police not only fail to protect vulnerable people from violence but are perpetrators themselves.
Historically, police officers have had the freedom to bribe, abuse, falsely accuse, imprison and even kill citizens with little fear of any consequences. People living in poverty are often defenceless against this abuse of power. As it stands now, a mere fraction of cases end up in court.
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1 in 3 Kenyans have experienced police abuse or harassment.
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Over 500 killings by police in Kenya have been documented between 2019 and 2021.
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Less than 2% of police related extrajudicial killings are in court in Kenya.
Our solution
Our Community Protection Model
We don’t stop at bringing people to safety from violence. Our goal is to prevent abuse and exploitation from happening in the first place.
That’s why IJM and our partners collaborate with local authorities to support survivors to heal with trauma-informed care, hold perpetrators to account, and strengthen justice systems to build communities where all people can expect to be safe and protected.
Our Global Impact
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279
Women and men freed from illegal detention in Kenya with IJM’s help since 2001
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2016
The year IJM achieved the first conviction of a police officer after working on cases of police abuse of power for 14 years
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42
Police officers convicted for violent crimes through IJM and partner cases between 2017 and 2022
Where we and our partners work to end police abuse of power
MEET WILLIE, JOSEPHAT AND JOSEPH
Justice is served following the murder of IJM investigator, client and driver by police
After Josephat survived abuse from Kenyan police officers, IJM set out to defend him in court. One day, after IJM investigator Willie Kimani and Josephat left the courthouse, the two men, along with their trusted driver, were never heard from again. This began a six-year quest for justice that became a critical victory for the thousands of victims of police abuse of power whose stories have never been told.
Explore more stories related to Police Abuse of Power:
Together, we can end police abuse of power for good.
Will you help bring people to safety and build a world where all are free?