Community Policing in Practice

Community policing concept was adopted in Kenya in March 2002 and was launched in Ruai, Nairobi in March 2005. Ruai is a cosmopolitan suburb located approximately 30Km on the eastern part of Nairobi, along the busy Nairobi-Kangundo Road. The area is characterised by both middle- and low-income dwellers with high levels of crime. The larger "Ruai" comprises eight zones: Ruai Central, Kamulu, Capitol Hill, Ndege View, Njiru, Gituamba, Makongeni and Sewage area. In Kenya, community policing informally started at Mawe-Mbili (two-stones) area, within Capitol Hill zone. To reduce crime and secure the neighbourhood, residents donated land and materials, and build a temporary police post currently; Mawe-Mbili police station. This was instrumental in identifying the area for piloting community-based policing. However, its adoption was greatly influenced by various factors that this book seeks to explain.