THE PROBLEM
Around the world, in many places, police not only fail to protect vulnerable people from violence, but they are perpetuating the cycle of brutality and violence themselves.
More than 684 people have been killed by police since 2019. (Missing Voices, 2022)
Police Abuse of Power in Kenya
In Kenya, police officers can abuse their positions by taking advantage of the people they have taken oath to serve and protect. While most police officers take their pledge seriously – in many instances, police not only fail to protect vulnerable people from violence but are perpetrators themselves.
Without a lawyer, the innocent person will often wait years for freedom. In the case of extrajudicial killings, surviving family members have started speaking out, demanding an investigation and the delivery of justice. For years, police could expect to get away with these crimes.
- 1 in 3 Kenyans have experienced police abuse or harassment.
- Over 500 killings by police in Kenya have been documented between 2019 and 2021.
- Worldwide, 33% of youth have experienced abuse by police.
OUR SOLUTION
Our Community Protection Model
We don’t stop at rescuing people who have been abused. Our goal is to prevent violence from happening in the first place.
That’s why IJM and our partners collaborate with local authorities to serve individual survivors of police abuse of power, pursue sustainable improvements in the justice system, prosecute police who do abuse their power, and build communities where all people can expect to be safe and protected. And progress is being made: between 2017 and 2022, at least 42 Kenyan police officers have been convicted—something that rarely happened before.
Our Global Impact
Women and men freed from illegal detention in Kenya with IJM’s help since 2001
The year IJM achieved the first conviction of a police officer after working on cases of police abuse of power and false accusation for 14 years
Police officers convicted for violent crimes in IJM Kenya and partner cases
Where we and our partners work to end police abuse of power
MEET WILLIE, JOSEPHAT AND JOSEPH
Justice is served following the murder of IJM investigator, client and driver by police.
After Josephat survived abuse from Kenyan police officers, IJM set out to defend him in court. One day, after IJM investigator Willie Kimani and Josephat left the courthouse, the two men, along with their trusted driver, were never heard from again. This began a six-year quest for justice that became a critical victory for the thousands of victims of police abuse of power whose stories have never been told.
Read Their Story
Together, we can end police abuse of power for good.
Will you send rescue and protection until everyone is safe?
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