UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI COLLEGE OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES SCHOOL OF LAW CURBING THE USE OF EXCESSIVE FORCE BY THE POLICE IN KENYA BY: MINYIRI NEPHINE – G62/89414/2016 SUPERVISOR: DR. EVELYNE ASALA A RESEARCH PAPER SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF LAWS NOVEMBER 2020 DECLARATION I, Nephine Minyiri of Reg. No. G62/89414/2016 hereby declare that this research paper is my original work and has never been submitted elsewhere for any academic or non-academic purposes. I have duly acknowledged sources of the information contained in this research paper in line with University of Nairobi anti-plagiarism requirements. Nephine Minyiri Date – 4th December, 2020 This research paper has been submitted for examination upon my approval as university supervisor: Dr. Evelyne Asala Date – 4th December, 2020. ii ACKNOWLEDGMENT I thank the Almighty God for the gift of life, good health and provision of resources throughout the writing of this project. I am immensely grateful to my able supervisor, Dr. Evelyne Asala who went out of her way to ensure I complete this research successfully. She provided not just academic support but also moral support. I am grateful to my parents, William O. Minyiri and Susan W. Achery for the invaluable support that they gave me in writing this research. I am also grateful to my siblings – Anne Minyiri, Philip Minyiri, Robert Minyiri, Toney Minyiri and Lonex Minyiri for their moral support. I would also like to thank my niece Mellanie Margret for proofreading my work. I would like to thank my boss Virginia Shaw and my friends Grace Mwailemi and Lillian Moraa for moral support. I am grateful to the University of Nairobi for availing learning facilities. iii DEDICATION I dedicate this research paper to my parents, Mr. William O. Minyiri and Ms. Susan W. Achery who have given me both financial and moral support in undertaking this study. I love you very much, may God bless you abundantly. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ............................................................................................................................ ii ACKNOWLEDGMENT................................................................................................................ iii DEDICATION ............................................................................................................................... iv LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ....................................................................................................... vii LIST OF CASES............................................................................................................................ ix LIST OF LEGISLATIONS, REGULATIONS, TREATIES AND NON-TREATY LEGAL INSTRUMENTS............................................................................................................................. x CHAPTER ONE (1) ....................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Background of the study ........................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Statement of the problem .......................................................................................................... 5 1.4 Objectives of the study.............................................................................................................. 6 1.5 Hypothesis................................................................................................................................. 6 1.6 Research question ..................................................................................................................... 7 1.7 Research methodology .............................................................................................................. 7 1.8 Importance of the study ............................................................................................................ 7 1.9 Theoretical framework .............................................................................................................. 8 1.10 Literature Review.................................................................................................................. 12 1.11 Chapter breakdown ............................................................................................................... 19 CHAPTER TWO (2)..................................................................................................................... 21 LEGAL FRAMEWORK FOR THE USE OF FORCE IN KENYA ............................................ 21 2.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 21 2.2 International Legal Framework ............................................................................................... 22 2.3 Regional Legal Framework..................................................................................................... 30 2.4 National Legal Framework ..................................................................................................... 33 2.5 Conclusion ............................................................................................................................. 39 CHAPTER THREE (3) ................................................................................................................. 40 BEST PRACTICES FOR EFFECTIVE CONTROL OF POLICE USE OF EXCESSIVE FORCE ....................................................................................................................................................... 40 3.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 40 v 3.2 Community policing ............................................................................................................... 40 3.3 Police Recruitment and Welfare ............................................................................................. 44 3.4 Use of force continuum ........................................................................................................... 47 3.5 Training ................................................................................................................................... 49 3.6 Accountability for use of force ............................................................................................... 53 3.7 Conclusion .............................................................................................................................. 59 CHAPTER FOUR (4) ................................................................................................................... 61 TOWARDS ERADICATING THE USE OF EXCESSIVE FORCE IN KENYA ...................... 61 4.1 Introduction ............................................................................................................................. 61 4.2 Changing police culture .......................................................................................................... 62 4.3 Improving police welfare ........................................................................................................ 66 4.4 Improving police – public relationship ................................................................................... 68 4.5 Strengthening the legal and institutional framework .............................................................. 72 4.6 Conclusion .............................................................................................................................. 80 CHAPTER FIVE (5) ..................................................................................................................... 82 SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................... 82 5.1 Summary ................................................................................................................................. 82 5.2 Conclusion .............................................................................................................................. 89 5.3 Recommendations ................................................................................................................... 90 5.4 Bibliography ........................................................................................................................... 93 vi LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ACHPR African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights AFCHPR African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights AG Attorney General APCOF African Policing Oversight Forum AU Africa Union BPUFF Basic Principles on the Use of Force and Firearms CAJ Commission on Administrative Justice CRC Convention on the Rights of the Child ECHR European Court of Human Rights HRC Human Rights Committee HRW Human Rights Watch IACHR Inter-American Court of Human Rights IAU Internal Affairs Unit ICCPR International Covenant for Civil and Political Rights ICJ International Court of Justice IEBC Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission IMLU Independent Medico-Legal Unit IPOA Independent Police Oversight Authority TJRC Truth Justice and Reconciliation Commission KHRC Kenya Human Rights Commission