Reporting crime, police organisation, your rights and accountability.
Search the official Constitution →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.
Articles 243–247The National Police Service brings together the Kenya Police Service, the Administration Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, under one Inspector-General, with a separate commission handling staffing and an independent authority providing oversight.
Article 243; Articles 243–247To report a crime, go to a police station, where your report is recorded in the Occurrence Book (OB) and given an OB number — your reference for follow-up. Serious crimes go to the DCI, and emergencies to the police hotline.
During any police stop or arrest, you have rights: officers must identify themselves and explain why, you may remain silent and ask for a lawyer, and you must be treated with dignity. Police use of force must always be lawful and proportionate.
Article 49; Articles 49 and 51The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) is a civilian body that investigates police misconduct — including deaths and serious injuries involving the police. Anyone can complain to it, in writing, by phone, by email, online or in person.
