Strained community-police relationship features in insightful X Space discussion

The rising cases of insecurity and crime morphing in Nakuru county have everyone on edge.

The public, civil society and security agents are all arming themselves, each defending their turf, with little progress to slow things down and restore order.

On June 10, Mtaa Wangu held an X space on ‘What is causing rampant insecurity in the county?’ that brought together members of the public, civil society, and representation of the police (who sent their apologies) to crack open the ongoing duel and find solutions to the thorny problem.

Like any other growing urban area, Nakuru is currently dealing with the consequences of its elevation to city status.

This is according to Calvin Muga, a programs Officer at Midrift Hurinet, who blames the rural-urban migration on the increase in crime due to a lack of opportunities in the city and people falling into economic vulnerability due to the pressures of life.

“Other than this, we are currently dealing with a broken social fabric and, worse off, a rift in the relationship between the police and the public, which leaves people with the opportunity to engage however,” he says frustratingly. “We have a police versus the people narrative, and everyone seems to forget that the police’s work is to serve, including them. When the police don’t uphold human rights, the relation between them and the public waters down.”

Nyaituga Maina, a resident of Pipeline, echoes his sentiments, noting that the public is also withholding information out of fear of reporting, and in some instances, the police ask for ‘help’, e.g., fueling their vehicles, and the like, for action to be taken.

“In instances where the residents can’t ‘help’ the police, it only means that the crime goes unsolved,” he notes adding that there has been an existing conflict between bordering police posts and stations with each.

Listen here: What is causing rampant insecurity in Nakuru

While there seem to be never-ending problems, this panel recommends some solutions to the duel.

Muga emphasizes that there needs to be a mindset shift between the public and the police and that the police are not a force rather than a service.

“We also need to upscale the conversations between the police and the public to restore a strong foundation of trust. Other than that, the youth need to be connected to the devolved fund structures to empower them economically,” he proposes adding, that everyone needs to relook at the functions of Community Policing Committee (CPCs) members and redefine their role to becoming the line and anchors between the public and the police.

“Vigilantes are not anchored anywhere as protectors of the law, and community policing committees should not be vigilantes, so how do we find a balance?” he insists.

Nyaituga calls for better police identification, with plain-clothes officers properly introducing themselves as mandated by the courts.

“We also need citizen education on legal procedures in case of arrests and more community forums and barazas to promote awareness. If a good relationship exists between the public and security agencies, the public will be open to sharing information and requesting prompt action from the police,” he says.

Mwaura Gitonga, the chairman of the Nakuru Peace Forum, opines that there needs to be an enhancement of the CPC operations and for everyone to work together.

“We urge the community to report these issues. Only then can we have them solved and not hovering over us,” he says.

“If we stop these conversations, we’ll start a fight. We need to stop looking at the glass half empty and look at it as half full, and everyone must be a part of the conversation and ensure we have a peaceful conversation for us to coexist,” says Muga.