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.