The human rights course that has failed to change Kenya's police officers

Calls for police officers to respect human rights have grown louder over the past few decades, augmented by the Constitution that bars law enforcement officers from abuse of power.

The general wish is for officers to abandon the culture of fear mongering and adopt a rights-based approach: a calling most of them struggle to embrace.

The National Police Service (NPS) is constantly in the spotlight over extrajudicial killings, abductions, torture, enforced disappearances, arbitrary arrests, and trumped-up charges, among other violations.

Yet the Constitution, which ushered a new dawn following the dropping of colonial-era oppressive laws, shields suspects and citizens from any forms of abuse as outlined in the Bill of Rights that is explicit on liberties on right to life, human dignity, privacy, and freedom of expression, media, association and assembly.

Regrettably, these liberties have repeatedly been infringed upon by police officers who, despite receiving training on importance of upholding human rights, contravene the same without worrying about consequences of their misconduct. In fact, the consequences hardly come. 

Article 244 of the National Police Service Act demands that all officers, from bottom to top, are knowledgeable on matters human rights. The officers, the law says, must train to the highest possible standards of competence and integrity, and to respect human rights and fundamental freedoms and dignity.

The training covers human rights themes on foundational human rights, protection of vulnerable groups, gender and crime, legal and policy frameworks, limitation and derogation of rights, and international standards.

Even after being armed with this knowledge in a classroom setting, many of the police officers hardly apply it in the field where they prefer unorthodox methods when on surveillance missions, making arrests, conducting interrogations, carrying out beat patrols and quelling protests, among other duties.

The outcome has been unnecessary deaths and injuries, a situation made worse by the widening mistrust gap between law enforcers and members of the public.

While raising concern over the bad habits of rogue officers amid the fast deteriorating public-police relation, Independent Medico-Legal Unit (IMLU), on December 10, 2025, announced it had document 97 extrajudicial killings, 18 deaths in custody, 72 instances of torture or ill-treatment, 49 hospital injuries, 16 arbitrary arrests and five cases of enforced disappearances, all reported last year.

Human rights advocates and experts now argue that the reluctance by officers to conform is the realisation that no serious action is taken against those who conduct themselves unprofessionally. They also accuse the Executive of being part of the problem by not allowing NPS to operate independently.

“The need for a new Constitution was informed by many abuses in the old one. Particularly, the police outfit was singled out as an instrument for terror and oppression by the colonists, and successive regimes that have refused to let police operate independently,” notes Kamau Ngugi, the executive director of Defenders Coalition, which has, on several occasions, partnered with police to build capacity for promoting human rights.

Citing the Security Laws (Amendment) Act, 2014, which weakens oversight mechanisms, Kamau says the changes rolled back the little gains made by increasing Executive influence over security organs.

Notably, the amended laws reduced security of tenure for top officials like Inspector General of Police and the Director General of National Intelligence Service, besides giving the Cabinet Secretary powers to designate where and when public gatherings can take place, essentially threatening freedom of assembly.

George Musamali, a former instructor at General Service Unit (GSU) Training School, now renamed National Police College Embakasi B Campus, concurs. He accuses the Executive of being a stumbling block to a professional police service.

According to Musamali, human rights training is not a new course. It is as old as the police.

It was initially known as liberal studies and taught at Police Training College in Kiganjo (National Police College Main Campus). It was later introduced at GSU Training School in 1996 where he was among the pioneer instructors led by the late Charlton Murithi who rose through the ranks becoming the director of personnel at police headquarters where he retired at the rank of Senior Assistant Inspector General.

“Human rights training is not a new concept. It has existed as long I can remember. During our time, the course was known as liberal studies. The truth of the matter is that the training curriculum is good, covering all aspects. The elephant in the room is the Executive influence over police,” says Musamali, now a security analyst.

Recalling how almost half of his class was dismissed for questioning the relevance of the liberal studies course, Musamali insists professionalism will only be achieved when NPS finally becomes fully independent.

“The officers can not apply the knowledge in the field when NPS is not independent. And that is where the problem lies,” he maintains.

Upon graduating after training for nine months, the fresh officers swear to subject themselves to the Constitution while dispensing their duties.

Further in the oath of allegiance, the police constables vow to serve without favour, affection, malice, or ill will, and pledge to always preserve peace and prevent offenses against the peace.

But the oath is soon discarded immediately they step out of National Police College Main Campus, National Police College Embakasi A Campus and National Police College Embakasi B Campus.

While outside in the field, most of the officers quickly convert into bullies who have little regard to human life, dignity and freedoms, the very ideals they are taught during the “Human Rights, Police Ethics and Accountability” course.

The course is divided into 11 lessons covering: Introduction to human rights, Rights of vulnerable groups in policing, Police operations and observance of human rights, Use of force and firearms, and National values and principles of governance.

Other lessons include Patriotism and loyalty, Introduction to police ethics, Code of conduct and ethics for police officers, Police officers’ personal discipline, Preventing corruption in government institutions, and Mechanism for police accountability.

Design of lessons takes into account the time available for the lesson, objectives to be achieved, health and safety considerations, training activities, key notes and evaluation.

The training manual prepared by a pool of experts employ student-centred learning techniques, which include role-playing, discussions, case studies, graphics, use of video clips and demonstrations in a bid to impart the required knowledge values and behaviours.

Progressively, the human rights principles have been incorporated into training across the various institutions in NPS from entry to senior command courses with a view of embedding rights-based policing as a core professional competency.

Training content aligns with the Constitution and other legal legislative frameworks, regional and international human rights instruments.

At all levels, officers are trained to uphold, protect, and defend human rights in the lawful execution of their duties, particularly in areas involving arrest, detention, use of police powers, and engagement with vulnerable groups.

The structured integration of human rights training across all levels was tailored to strengthen professionalism, accountability, and public trust while ensuring compliance with constitutional, legal, and international obligations.

Unfortunately, the push to have officers embrace rights-based policing remains a pipe dream, thanks to frequent violations meted on suspects and innocent civilians.

While defending the service, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja maintains that violations are caused by a few rotten apples, arguing his officers are committed to upholding and promoting human rights values.

According to Kanja, the training has aligned with constitutional requirements that all officers within the ranks must be equipped with skills and knowledge on human rights.

“We have an excellent curriculum that drills our officers into professionals who are taught to serve diligently. At the top, we offer strategic leadership training to commanders who are well versed on matters human rights,” he said.

John Omboto, a crime, criminal justice and offender rehabilitation expert, however, is convinced that there is a disconnect between what the officers are taught in class and what they do in the field.

He blames the state of affairs on political patronage, which in turn, has embolden police officers to disregard Constitution.

“The situation begets impunity with officers contravening rights aware that nothing will happen to them,” notes Dr Omboto, a lecturer in Security at Kenyatta University.