Implications of Police Reforms on Human Rights Practice During the Democratic Transition in Kenya, 2003-2009

Abstract

Globally reforms in the security sector have been influenced by the need to safeguard human rights. This paper examines the nexus between police reforms and human rights practice in Kenya during the democratic transition in Kenya (2003-2009). The paper argues that while there have been numerous police reforms, the police institution has continued to engage in acts of human rights violation in complete disregard of international human rights provisions. The findings revealed that during the democratic transition between 2003 and 2009 reforms in the police institution were enacted to protect human rights. However, impunity, resource scarcity and lack of political goodwill continuous to slow down security sector reform progress.

Keywords: Police reforms, democratic and constitutional transition, human rights practice

DOI: 10.7176/JLPG/128-04

Publication date: January 31^st 2023