EVALUATING THE USE OF NON-VIOLENT STRATEGIES IN PUBLIC ORDER MANAGEMENT BY THE POLICE IN KENYA: A CASE OF MATHIRA EAST SUB- COUNTY, NYERI COUNTY, KENYA.
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Date
2026-10-27
Authors
REV. FR. LUCAS MUCHIRI GATERO
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Publisher
THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN AFRICA
Abstract
Public order management enables citizens to exercise their constitutional rights while maintaining public safety and security. Although the Constitution of Kenya (2010) and the National Police Service Act (2011) require police officers to prioritize non-violent approaches and the minimum use of force, public demonstrations in Kenya have often escalated into confrontations between police and members of the public. This gap between legal provisions and operational practice informed the present study. The study focused on evaluating the the use of non-violent strategies in public order management by the police in Mathira East Sub-County, Nyeri County, Kenya. The objectives of the study were to identify the non-violent strategies employed by the police in public order management, explore police perceptions regarding these strategies, assess the challenges affecting their application, and recommend appropriate interventions for improving their use. The use was assessed in relation to prevention and de-escalation of violence, protection of life and property, peaceful completion of demonstrations, police–public cooperation and trust, and reduced reliance on force. The study was guided by Procedural Justice Theory and Conflict Transformation Theory. A descriptive research design employing a mixed-method approach was adopted. The study targeted 174 participants, comprising 163 police officers who responded to questionnaires and 11 key informants who participated in interviews. Data were collected using questionnaires and interview guides. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were analyzed through thematic content analysis. The findings revealed that responsive non-violent strategies were more commonly applied than proactive and restorative approaches, indicating greater emphasis on managing demonstrations during the event than before or after it. The study further established positive attitudes towards non-violent policing alongside continued influence of traditional policing mindsets and strained police–public relations. The study identified lack of clear Standard Operating Procedures, inadequate training, negative public attitudes and infiltration by criminal elements as major challenges affecting the application of non-violent strategies. The findings also indicated that respondents recommended continuous training on de-escalation, human rights-based public order management and crowd psychology, alongside strengthened community policing and stakeholder engagement.
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Keywords
Non-violent strategies, public order management, police practices, law enforcement, crowd control, police accountability, human rights, conflict management, Mathira East Sub-County, Nyeri County, Kenya