The United States of America has committed to delivering a total amount of $7 million (Ksh929 million) to strengthen police reform efforts in Kenya through modernization of the police force.
White House in a statement on Thursday, May 23, 2024, announced the commitment as part of the tangible benefits that Kenya is set to receive following President William Ruto’s State visit to the US.
According to the White House, the $7 million commitment is aimed at strengthening police reform efforts and enhance National Police Service (NPS) capacity-building efforts.
Police Modernization and Prison Reforms
“Building on a longstanding partnership to further police capacity building and reform efforts, the United States and Kenya announced a new partnership to advance and strengthen the modernization and professionalization of Kenya’s National Police Service, with a focus on staff and training development,” reads part of the statement.
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Also in the security sector, the White House announced its commitment to improving Kenya’s prisons department.
According to the statement, the United States will support Kenyan-led efforts to improve the oversight of Kenyan prisons and conditions within Kenya’s prison service including by addressing the overcrowding challenge facing the prison facilities.
To this effect, the US announced a new $2.2 million initiative to provide training, mentoring, and technical assistance to implement priority reforms.
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At the same time, Kenya has also benefitted in its pursuit of combatting transnational organized crime and supporting criminal justice sector reform.
Recognizing the regional role Kenya plays in combating transnational organized crime, the United States revealed that it is committed to improving cooperation and coordination in combating criminal networks and holding criminals accountable in Kenya and other East African nations.
“The United States intends to provide $4.9 million (Ksh649,250,000) in new funding for Kenya and other East African countries to improve cooperation and coordination in combating criminal networks and holding criminals accountable. Funding also supports capacity building and reform efforts within the Kenyan police and justice sectors,” the statement adds.
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Strengthening IEBC
On strengthening Kenya’s frameworks for free and fair elections, the US revealed that it intends to provide a total sum of $1.5 million (Ksh199,125,000).
The funds, according to the U.S., will be provided by the administration working together with Congress and is aimed at providing new technical assistance to support Kenya’s electoral legal framework reform process.
“This funding aims to improve public awareness raising and advocacy around the reforms, laying the groundwork for a more inclusive, transparent and peaceful 2027 election. This support complements Kenya’s amendment to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act, which passed the National Assembly on May 3 and is now with the Senate,” said White House.
Also, the US announced that it has programed nearly $40 million (Ksh5.3 billion) for democracy, human rights, and governance programming in Kenya.
The revenue according to the White House will be delivered through the Presidential Initiative for Democratic Renewal programs that advocate on democracy and human rights through initiatives such as defending democratic elections and political processes.
Benefits from Ruto’s US State Visit
These commitments of funds are among the benefits Kenya is set to gain from the US which came following the welcoming of President Ruto by President Biden for a State Visit and Dinner at White House to celebrate and deepen ties between the two nations.
Ruto’s three-day state visit marked the 60th year of the partnership between the two countries which according to White House was founded on shared values, deep cooperation, and a common vision for the future.
The commitment to strengthen the Kenyan police force comes as Kenya police officers are set to be deployed in Haiti for a peacekeeping mission to combat gang violence.
According to sources privy to the matter, the deployment of 200 officers was set for May 23,2024, with the country set to send the first batch of officers drawn from the elite Recce squad, Rapid Deployment Force and Special Operation Group.
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