Transformation in the Administration Police Service in Kenya, 1958 – 2010
Abstract
The police service in any society plays a crucial role in ensuring internal peace and
security is achieved. There has been growing concern by the public on the role of the
police officers which necessitated reforms in the police service in Kenya. This study
sought to investigate the genesis of the administration police in Kenya, recruitment,
and functions from 1958 to 2010. Data for this study was collected in Nyeri County.
Guided by the rational choice and the neopatrimonial paradigms, the study sought to
examine the premise that the police generally, and the administration police in
particular, has been patronized and (mis)used by consequent governments for their
own goals. The study employed both primary and secondary data. Primary data was
obtained through oral interviews and archival resources from the Kenya National
and Nyeri County Archives. Data was obtained from former and current
administration and regular police officers, former officers in the provincial
administration, elders, educationists and members of the public with relevant
knowledge on the transformation in the administration police. Secondary data was
accessed from text books, journals and other materials from the Post Modern
Library,of Kenyatta University, Jomo Kenyatta Memorial Library at the University
of Nairobi and the Kenya National Library Services in Nyeri. Data analysis was
done through corroboration of different sets of data. Ethical issues pertaining to
research were observed during the entire process of this study. The study established
that Administration Police has undergone various transformations, from a regiment
entity to a service to enhance efficiency and cooperation with Kenya
Police.Simillary the command structure also changed with the promulgation with
both the AP and Kenya Police Service operating under one command Steps have
been made towards improved training and education through the establishment of
Administration Police Training College –Embakasi. It has witnessed female officers
joining the service some taking high ranks. Further studies should be done on gender
dynamics in the Administration Police Service.