Activists want police service disbanded over corruption, brutality claims

Human rights activists are calling for the disbandment of the National Police Service (NPS) following damning revelations in the latest EACC corruption index, which ranks the security organ among the most corrupt institutions in the country.

Led by the advocacy group Vocal Africa, the activists accused the police not only of systemic corruption but also of perpetuating violence and brutality against citizens.

The group further demanded reforms in recruitment, insisting that the minimum academic qualification for entry into the police service be raised to a KCSE grade of C (plain) to improve professionalism and integrity within the service.

"This is not merely a matter of perception; it is a lived reality. It is the terror on our roads, extortion in every roadblock, bribes demanded before help is offered, and the bullets fired into the crowds of peaceful demonstrators," said Vocal Africa CEO Hussein Khalid.

Activist Shakira Wafula added, "Let us be clear, this is not just corruption or a few bad apples; it is about a state that has weaponised its police force against its citizens."

The EACC report, released on Tuesday, ranked the National Police Service, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA), the Teachers Service Commission, and the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), among others, as the most corrupt.