Written by Lisa Murimi
Kenya has ranked among the lowest in Africa in police professionalism, according to the latest Afrobarometer Report.
With a score of just 18%, Kenya is third from the bottom, only ahead of Nigeria (17%) and Congo-Brazzaville (13%).
In stark contrast, East African neighbor Tanzania ranked ninth, with a score of 53%, highlighting a significant gap in professionalism within the region.
Burkina Faso, Morocco, and Benin led the continent with scores of 68%, 64%, and 61%, respectively.
The report, conducted between 2021 and 2023 across 39 African nations, paints a concerning picture of public confidence in police forces.
Only one in three African citizens believes their police can uphold the rule of law and maintain order.
In Kenya, recent incidents of police brutality, corruption, and mishandling of protests—such as the anti-Finance Bill demonstrations and femicide protests—have further eroded trust.
Videos of police violence and allegations of abductions have sparked outrage and scrutiny.
Corruption remains a significant barrier to professionalism, with Kenya ranking 10th among countries where citizens are most likely to be asked for bribes by police.
Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone lead this list.
The findings highlight systemic issues that continue to undermine the Kenyan police force, calling for urgent reforms to restore public trust.