Quick Answer
The National Police Service keeps law and order, and the Constitution sets clear rules for how it must treat citizens. You have the right to report crime, to be treated lawfully during any encounter, and to complain to an independent oversight body if the police get it wrong.
Key facts
- The National Police Service (NPS) handles law and order.
- Crime is reported at a police station and logged in the Occurrence Book.
- You have rights during any police encounter or arrest.
- IPOA independently investigates police misconduct.
How policing is organised
The National Police Service (NPS) — the Kenya Police Service, the Administration Police Service, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) — is led by the Inspector-General and overseen by independent bodies.
Its structure is covered in the next guide.
Reporting crime and your rights
You report crime at a police station, where it is logged with an OB number. During any encounter or arrest, you have constitutional rights — to know why, to remain silent, to a lawyer, and to humane treatment.
Holding the police accountable
Police power is not unchecked. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) investigates misconduct and deaths or serious injuries involving the police, and anyone can complain to it.
Why this matters to you
Encounters with the police can be intimidating, and abuses happen. Knowing how to report crime, what your rights are, and that an independent body oversees the police helps you stay safe and stand up for yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Who keeps law and order in Kenya?
The National Police Service (NPS).
How do I report a crime?
At a police station, where it is logged in the Occurrence Book with an OB number.
Who investigates police misconduct?
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA).
Sources & references
- Constitution of Kenya 2010, Articles 243–247 — klrc.go.ke
- National Police Service Act; Independent Policing Oversight Authority Act — kenyalaw.org