Interior Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo has raised concerns over Kenya’s police-to-citizen ratio, stating that it falls significantly below the internationally accepted standard of one police officer per 400 citizens. Speaking during an interview on Spice FM, Omollo acknowledged that Kenya’s police force, currently comprising about 110,000 officers, is stretched thin across a population exceeding 55 million people.
With these numbers, the actual police-to-civilian ratio in Kenya stands at approximately 1:500. Omollo pointed out that maintaining law and order becomes increasingly challenging due to the size of the country and the limited availability of law enforcement personnel.
“We have a responsibility to maintain law and order, but we have to balance that with the resources available to the government,” he stated. He further explained that the current number of police officers is inadequate to ensure security in every part of the country.
This revelation comes in the wake of rising security concerns, including incidents of abductions and daylight robberies that have left Kenyans worried about their safety. On Tuesday, during President William Ruto’s second day of touring Nairobi, chaos erupted when groups of criminals took advantage of the heavy traffic along Thika Road, robbing motorists in broad daylight.
The security lapse during the presidential tour has sparked public outcry, with many questioning the government’s ability to provide adequate protection for its citizens. The presence of high-ranking government officials, including President Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, disrupted normal traffic flow in Mathare and Roysambu, creating an opportunity for criminals to strike.
Omollo’s admission underscores the pressing need for increased police recruitment, improved resource allocation, and enhanced security strategies. While Kenya continues to grapple with security challenges, calls for reforms within the police service are growing louder. Addressing the shortage of law enforcement officers and investing in modern crime-fighting techniques will be crucial in bridging the gap between police presence and public safety.
The government now faces the urgent task of reinforcing security measures to prevent such incidents in the future while working towards achieving the recommended police-to-population ratio.
