On November 29, 2024, Mr Harrison Muhu and his family sat at the dining table, savouring a meal of cooked potatoes and beef. It was one of the family’s favourite meals, and the family members laughed whole-heartedly.
Then something terrible happened that brought the fun evening to an end. They heard a loud bang on the main door of his residence in Echuka Village, Limuru, that caught them by surprise.
Subsequent forceful bangs reverberated as intruders attempted to breach the metal-grilled door to access his home.
What followed were erratic calls and cries of his family. His children fled in all directions as they tried to call out neighbours for help. But the daring assailants would have none of it. They persisted in their efforts to break down the door and gain access.
As luck would have it, a few metres from his compound, neighbours had heard the distress call. One of the neighbours told Nation.Africa he immediately raised an alarm through a security WhatsApp group, alerting the Officer in Charge of Tigoni Police Station, Christine Mudanya.
In a swift response, law enforcement officers arrived at the scene and the disgruntled robbers fled.
Recalling the events, Mr Muhu expressed immense relief when the OCS contacted him to inquire about opening the gate.
He later learned that a neighbour had disseminated information through security WhatsApp groups, leading to the rapid police intervention. Ms Mudanya said she was at the station when the information reached her.
“I immediately mobilised three officers in my vehicle to respond within minutes. The station vehicle was on patrol, necessitating the use of available resources for a prompt reaction,” she said.
Although the raiders escaped upon the arrival of law enforcement, Mr Muhu acknowledges that the situation could have escalated if not for the coordinated efforts of security groups on social media.
The groups have become part and parcel of local security management in the larger Kiambu County, which has for a long time been infamous for insecurity.
The success of the security efforts can be attributed to the establishment of two main WhatsApp groups - Limuru Highlands with 377 members and Tigoni Security Alerts with 466 members.
These groups consist of residents, police officers, and members of the local administration. Each evening, the Officer in Charge of the Station (OCS) shares the contact numbers of officers on duty, enabling direct communication in case of emergencies.
As a result, criminal incidents have significantly decreased, and the police response time has improved drastically.
Ms Doris Kemey, the Kiambu County Police Commander, commends the effectiveness of community policing in enhancing security and safety within the region.
Doris Kemey, Kiambu Police Commander on Community Policing, during an interview with Nation.Africa.
Photo credit: Ndubi Moturi | Nation Media Group
She emphasises the importance of collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the community in combating crime, stating that the partnership is essential for achieving successful outcomes.
Despite the challenges of building trust and overcoming historical suspicions between the police and the public, Ms Kemey acknowledges the progress made through continuous engagement, sensitization, and assurance efforts.
The willingness of the community to cooperate with security officers has been instrumental in creating a safer environment for all residents.
“It takes police to partner with the community to fight crime. Police working on their own will not win against criminals. But the coming in of the public to work with police officers has helped us beat the criminals at their own game,” she says.
Mr Elias Ndung’u Kariuki, the chair of the security committee of the Tigoni Residents Association, says that community policing has played a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of the local community.
Elias Ndung'u Kariuki, Chairperson of the Security Committee Tigoni Residents Association, during the interview.
Photo credit: Ndubi Moturi | Nation Media Group
Through the forums facilitated primarily through social media platforms such as WhatsApp, residents can now conduct their daily activities without fear and rest peacefully at night.
According to the Director of Community Policing, Gender and Children Protection Judy Lamet, the use of technology, especially social media has boosted community policing as it has enabled efficient communication between security officers and members of the public.
"Services like WhatsApp and Facebook have given the initiative a major boost. These social media platforms have provided platforms for interaction between officers and the public, making it easier to manage security at local look levels," she says.
Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD) in charge of Limuru, Mary Njoki, also emphasised the significant impact of community policing on the effectiveness of police officers in carrying out their duties and fostering positive relationships with the communities they serve.
According to Ms. Njoki, community policing is a collaborative effort between law enforcement officers and community members. Through various social media platforms, police officers and civilians share vital information related to security issues.
Additionally, OCSs are required to provide their contact information, as well as that of duty officers and orderly officers, to ensure seamless communication. Senior officers also actively participate in these groups to oversee response strategies.
Ms. Njoki highlights the importance of engaging with the public, particularly with bodaboda riders, as a means of promoting awareness of laws and maintaining order within the community.
According to Genesio Njeru, the chairman of the National Community Policing Association (NCPA), the areas where community policing has been embraced have seen improvement in security. He however says that police need to sensitize and train their officers to embrace the concept for it to work across the country.
“One of the primary obstacles to community policing is a few officers who cling to antiquated notions of their role as enforcers of authority, rather than partners in maintaining public safety.
Training and sensitisation programmes should be prioritized for officers at all levels to ensure they fully embrace the vision of a professional and responsive police force that meets the needs of the Kenyan people,” says Mr Njeru.
Police Spokesperson, Muchiri Nyaga, who was instrumental in the establishment of security forums when he was a police commander in Kiambu says the success of community policing initiatives especially through social media has given the impetus to roll it out across the country.
It is upon these efforts that the National Police Service is banking on to transform and resolve security challenges facing the country.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja says community policing is one of the priority areas in the reform agenda of the Kenya Police Service.
“As part of our transformation agenda, we are very focused on supporting and strengthening community policing. This is one of the most significant reforms that encourages police officers to engage directly with the communities they serve intending to build trust, prevent crime, and foster cooperative relationships,” says Mr Kanja.
