NAIROBI, Kenya - The Missing Voices Coalition (MVC) joined Katiba Institute and other civil society stakeholders for a meeting to review, "101 Things You Wanted to Know About the Police But Were Too Afraid to Ask," a booklet first published in 2016 to help members of the public understand their rights and responsibilities in their interactions with the police.
Representing the Coalition, our National Coordinator Shukri Wachu contributed to the discussions on the need to update the booklet to reflect developments in Kenya’s policing landscape and address emerging human rights concerns.
"A revised publication provides practical, up-to-date information to help the public understand their rights, recognise violations, and seek accountability." said Wachu.
The review comes at a time when questions around police accountability, the use of force, and the protection of fundamental rights remain central to Kenya’s human rights discourse. Stakeholders highlighted the importance of ensuring that the booklet responds to contemporary challenges, including police brutality, enforced disappearances, sexual and gender-based violence, and technology-facilitated violence.
For the Missing Voices Coalition, public awareness of policing laws and procedures is an important part of preventing human rights violations and strengthening accountability. When citizens understand their constitutional rights and the legal limits of police powers, they are better equipped to identify violations, seek redress, and hold responsible institutions to account.
An updated publication would also provide an opportunity to clarify the procedures available to individuals seeking justice, the responsibilities of law enforcement officers, and the mechanisms through which complaints against police misconduct can be reported and pursued.
Kenya’s Constitution establishes a framework for policing that upholds human dignity, human rights, and fundamental freedoms. However, translating these constitutional guarantees into everyday practice requires sustained public education, effective accountability mechanisms, and law enforcement agencies that respect and protect the rights of all people.
The review of the booklet is therefore an opportunity to strengthen a practical resource that connects constitutional principles to the experiences of ordinary citizens. By incorporating emerging human rights concerns and providing relevant, accessible information, the revised publication can help bridge the gap between legal protections and public understanding.
The Missing Voices Coalition remains committed to promoting accountability for extrajudicial killings and enforced disappearances, advancing the rights of victims and their families, and supporting efforts to build a policing system grounded in human rights, transparency, and the rule of law.
As the review process progresses, ensuring that the booklet remains accessible, relevant, and responsive to the public’s needs will be essential to strengthening civic awareness and advancing accountable policing in Kenya.
