VOCAL AFRICA Demands Total Police Overhaul Amidst Rising Brutality and Corruption

By Bruno Aero

In the wake of a damning report by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), VOCAL AFRICA and its partners are calling for a comprehensive overhaul of the Kenya Police Service. The EACC report reveals that the police service is the most corrupt institution in the country, with allegations of extortion, bribery, and even murder.

The statement highlights specific cases of police brutality, including the tragic death of Albert Ojwang, a young Kenyan citizen who was arrested, tortured, and murdered in cold blood inside Central Police Station in Nairobi. Despite CCTV cameras and round-the-clock guards, Albert never made it out alive. The police initially claimed he "collapsed after hitting his head on the wall," but it has since been confirmed that he was beaten to death. To date, his killers have not been convicted, and others involved have not even been arrested.

Gen Z Protests: A Trail of Blood and Tears

The statement also draws attention to the dozens of young Kenyans executed during the Gen Z protests. Some were shot in the head by snipers, while others were abducted by plainclothes officers and later found dead in bushes, rivers, or mortuaries. Many families have been forced to bury their children, while the perpetrators remain in uniform, protected by a system that appears to be as murderous and corrupt as they are.

VOCAL AFRICA and its partners are demanding a total police overhaul to address these egregious issues. They argue that the police service needs to be transformed to prioritize the safety and well-being of citizens. The call for reform is not new, but the latest report has added urgency to the matter.

As the nation grapples with the reality of police brutality and corruption, it is imperative that the government takes concrete steps to address these issues. The people of Kenya deserve a police service that protects and serves, not one that terrorizes and exploits. Will the government heed the call for reform, or will the status quo persist? Only time will tell.