13 November 2009
opinion
Nairobi — There is strong consensus that security is one of the key issues Kenya needs to address urgently as part of the reform programme under the National Accord.
Security is consistently one of the top concerns among Kenyans in opinion polls. The Waki Commission's recommendations focused heavily on the security agencies. The report by UN Special Rapporteur, Prof Alston, highlighted serious concerns around police accountability and questioned the Government's determination to deal with impunity.
We therefore welcome the work of the National Task Force on Police Reforms to promote improvements in policing that should provide security to citizens in a responsible and responsive manner. Creating a professional, effective, accountable and trusted security sector is vital to Kenya's stability, prosperity and international reputation.
However, critical recommendations such as these will need decisive, early and effective implementation. Previous police reform processes have not delivered their promises. As the Task Force found, the public is extremely cynical that these recommendations will be followed through.
We call on the Government to maintain momentum from the Report and demonstrate a real commitment and political will to achieve far-reaching reform. Swift action on a number of recommendations would build confidence that the Government is indeed serious about implementation. We view early steps on the following as particular indicators of commitment:
Implementation: Establishing an effective implementation mechanism that involves the right expertise and provides the necessary drive for reform.
Accountability: Establishing a credible, independent oversight authority with real powers to hold the security sector to account. This needs to be accompanied by functioning internal oversight mechanisms.
Funding: increased investment in policing from the Government's own budget.
Cultural Change: demonstrating a positive change in policing culture, with particular regard to acknowledging and addressing allegations of human rights abuses, police ethics violations, and corruption. An immediate change to more credible and transparent investigations by the authorities of police shootings would send a strong signal of reform.
Partnerships: Delivering a more inclusive and cooperative engagement with the public and other stakeholders on public safety and security issues, including less combative communications.
Legislation: enacting legislation that will enhance the ability of the authorities to address crime and public safety, while introducing measures to build confidence and trust among the public that police powers will not be abused. For Kenya, early introduction of devolved decision making to lower levels can enhance effectiveness, while ensuring discipline and coordination between security agencies.
We are willing to work with the relevant authorities to assist in the achievement of a number of these early objectives. But we can only justify substantive levels of assistance when there is visible progress in these areas. Reforms in others areas will also be necessary for police reform to be genuinely effective, in particular far reaching judicial reform accompanied by tangible results to end impunity.
We recognise the difficult job that policemen and women have in Kenya, and the dangers they face in performing their tasks. Government has a duty to ensure that the police are provided with adequate personal and institutional support.
This is a time for leadership and bold steps. Success will do much for Kenya's future, its regional role and its international reputation. We welcome the Government's public commitment to this time deliver on reform and we look forward to decisive action being taken in the coming days. We will look to identify means to provide substantive support.
By the Heads of Mission of the European Union, Canada, Japan, Norway, Switzerland and the United States
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