Kanja admits police could have done better in handling Gen Z protests, advocates for training

Inspector General Douglas Kanja has said that the National Police Service is working to close gaps in its operations while strengthening accountability and training across the country in an effort to end police brutality cases.

Kanja said this while acknowledging the rising public mistrust over deaths in police custody, fatal shootings of unarmed civilians and the handling of last year’s protests.

In an exclusive interview with NTV, Kanja conceded that the public has legitimate concerns over these incidents, insisting that officers “should have done better” and that the service is taking deliberate steps to prevent similar failures.

Kanja said the service is prioritising reforms aimed at improving professionalism at police stations, which he described as the “centres of excellence” of policing. Training, he added, remains at the core of this transformation.

"We want to make our stations the centre of excellence for police operations. But I've also indicated that training is a key driver. Whether basic or advanced, training is important," he said, revealing that the service is in talks with the National Treasury to secure more funding to expand both basic and advanced training programmes.

Currently, about 45 per cent of officers have undergone advanced training, a number he insists must rise for the service to meet public expectations.

On last year’s protests, which drew widespread criticism over the use of excessive force, Kanja admitted the police response fell short.

He said officers are expected to facilitate lawful demonstrations as guided by Article 37 of the Constitution, but challenges arise when protests turn violent or criminal elements take advantage of the chaos.

“My take on the handling of what happened then is that our officers could have done much better,” he said, emphasising that improved training will help officers distinguish between peaceful protests and unlawful acts.

The Inspector General also dismissed claims that police are behind the recent wave of abductions reported across the country, saying such actions are not part of any officer’s mandate.

He maintained that the service operates strictly within the law and warned that anyone, including officers, found aiding or participating in abductions will face “swift and firm action.”

Despite the criticism, Kanja defended the overall performance of the National Police Service, rating it eight out of ten in terms of service delivery.

He argued that the country remains “safe and secure,” noting that daily life, economic activity and movement across the country continue without major disruptions. “Our country is safe and secure from north to south, east to west,” he said.

Kanja acknowledged, however, that rebuilding public trust will require consistency, transparency and continued reforms.

Other Topics To Read

• Headlines
• National
• National Police Service
• Police Brutality
• protests
• douglas kanja
• police stations
• Kanja admits police could have done better in handling Gen Z protests
• advocates for training