Challenges in Using Smartphones and Social Media for Police Misconduct Documentation and Accountability in Kenya
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Date
2025-05-23
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Journal International of Social Science & Humanities
Abstract
Smartphones and social media arebecoming morevital in documentingpolice misconduct and promoting accountability. However, the challenges in their use,particularly in Kenya, have not been given much consideration. This study investigated the challenges individuals face when reporting misconduct usingthese tools and those encountered by oversight bodies in addressing such reports. The study was grounded on Social Learning Theory and Technological Determinism Theory. It adopted asequential explanatorymixed-method design. Respondentswerepolice officers and staff of the IndependentPolice Oversight Authority (IPOA).They were selected via stratified random and purposive sampling. Data were collectedusing an online survey and interview guide and analyseddescriptivelyand thematically. Findings indicated that the fear of reprisals, legal ambiguities, unequal access to technology, internet shutdowns, and privacy concerns discourage individuals from documenting and exposing misconduct.The challenges for oversight bodies included unclear evidence-handling policies, inadequate forensic capability, poor-quality and overly complex digital evidence, and bureaucratic inefficiencies. The study concluded that thesechallenges are interconnected, undermine police accountability, and fuel public distrust ofpolice and oversight mechanisms. Itrecommends broad reforms toenablesafe and effective documentation andtimely, transparent, and fairinstitutional responses
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Kirui, G. (2025). Challenges in using smartphones and social media for police misconduct documentation and accountability in Kenya. Reviewed Journal of Social Science & Humanities, 6(1), 164–181. https://www.reviewedjournals.com