Neutrality, numbers and logistics: Test facing police ahead of election

Police recruits during rehearsal ahead of passing-out parade at the Kenya Police College, Kiganjo Main Campus in Nyeri County, on August 25, 2026. [Mose Sammy, Standard]

Eleven months from now, Kenyans will head to the ballot box to elect their preferred leaders amid a heightened political environment raising security concerns.

Stakeholders have identified security as a key component of preparedness for the General Election, warning that without adequate security, the credibility of the polls could be in doubt.

Between now and the election day, Kenyans will be watching police actions closely, with officers’ conduct expected to have a bearing on how the elections unfold.

The role of the National Police Service (NPS), therefore, cannot be ignored. To effectively secure the elections, NPS requires adequate personnel, sufficient logistics, relevant training on election security and strict political neutrality.

Various stakeholders have warned against a repeat of the 2007/8 post-election violence, during which more than 1,000 people were killed and hundreds of thousands displaced as the country descended into chaos.

The police were largely unprepared and overwhelmed when the violence erupted, prompting the military to step as the situation spiralled out of control.

According to the Waki Commission, which investigated the violence, the police lacked a coherent strategy to contain the rapid breakdown of law and order. The service also suffered severe shortages of manpower, logistical support and riot-control equipment.

Although vital lessons were learnt from the violence 18 years ago, successive election cycles in 2013, 2017 and 2022 have still recorded pockets of violence, some leading into deaths. Next year’s election will require no less vigilance and preparation.

Observers are demanding that police remain neutral, avoid using excessive force and resist State interference, while firmly dealing with political goonism.

Police, on their part, insist they require adequate numbers, logistical support, training and public cooperation to satisfactorily secure the elections.

While numbers and logistics remain important, officers must also build public trust and understand human rights obligations, according to Suba Churchill, the executive director of the Kenya National Civil Society Centre.

“During the electioneering period, officers must strive to avoid getting into conflicted situations because the perception out there does not favour them. Trust among Kenyans is low, a weakness that demands they work on winning back the trust ahead of the polls,” he said.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has indicated that it will require about 200,000 police and special officers to provide security during the polls.

Following the recent pass-out of more than 10,000 police recruits from National Police College campuses in Kiganjo and Embakasi, the number of police officers has risen to about 120,000. Based on the IEBC requirement, there remains a shortfall of about 80,000 officers. The gap could be filled by special officers from the Kenya Prisons Service and other security agencies.

On logistics, police require vehicles, communication gadgets, crowd-control equipment and specialised training on election laws, specific offences and human rights.

While appearing before the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security on May 12, 2026, Inspector General Douglas Kanja appealed for increased budgetary funding to strengthen security operations across all the 47 counties.

He warned that the government’s plan to recruit more officers could be jeopardised after the Treasury allocated Sh2.9 billion for recruitment, against Sh6.7 billion requested to recruit 25,000 officers ahead of polls.

In the 2026/27 budget estimates, the Treasury earmarked Sh143.19 billion for the police, with Sh2.9 billion set aside for recruitment. “The proposed allocation of Sh2.9 billion is insufficient. The lion’s share of the funds will go to pay pending bills for the operations of the 10,000 recruits currently in training.”

NPS also faces serious equipment shortage. Of its nine aircraft, only three are operational, while the rest require refurbishment. Police have a deficit of 4,481 vehicles. The service requires about 8,400 vehicles but has only 2,833 operational ones, while 1,066 remain grounded. “In terms of transport, we operate at only 50 per cent of our need.”

However, as the country marches towards the elections, political violence, hate speech, cybersecurity threats, police conduct, IEBC tender disputes, public distrust in the electoral process, misinformation and disinformation remain early warning signs that could undermine the credibility of the polls.

During a security forum on September 2, IEBC acting Chief Executive Officer Ruth Kulundu said the commission will train 200,000 police and special officers to be deployed during the election, with training covering election security, election laws and specific election offences.

She said IEBC was developing operational tools to guide security personnel, including a handbook on election security, police role cards detailing specific duties and a guide for investigating electoral offences.

The electoral body estimates polling stations will increase from 46,229 in 2022 to 55,393 following the ongoing mass voter registration.

At the same forum, Kanja committed NPS to working with IEBC and other stakeholders to facilitate peaceful and credible elections, amid concerns over goons fuelling political intolerance and violence.

In recent months, hired goons have unleashed violence, leaving a trail of bloodshed and destruction. Critics have accused police of tolerating criminal gangs.

In April, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) accused the police of condoning goonism and called for Kanja’s resignation, warning that tolerance and use of goons to disrupt lawful political and civic activities undermined constitutional freedoms and eroded public trust in security agencies.

The gangs are often alleged to be financed and mobilised by politicians to harass rivals, disrupt rallies, suppress dissent and interfere with elections. In return, gang members may receive money, protection from law enforcement and employment.

The expected deployment of additional officers should enhance the Service’s capacity to tackle mounting security threats, including political violence and goonism.

However, the newly graduated officers enter a Service facing longstanding challenges that have undermined efficiency, professionalism, accountability and respect for human rights. NPS has faced accusations of corruption, brutality, abuse of power, abductions and extrajudicial killings.

A recent report by a national task force led by retired Chief Justice David Maraga highlighted critical staff shortages across different cadres, units and levels of the NPS.