Police oversight, financial autonomy, and accountability: comparing Kenya and the United Kingdom

Abstract

This study examines the critical roles of financial independence and command responsibility in strengthening independent police oversight, with a focus on Kenya’s legal framework and a comparative analysis with the United Kingdom. The methodology combined doctrinal analysis of legal texts, case law, and comparative policy evaluation. Key findings revealed that while Kenya has robust legal frameworks, oversight bodies face chronic underfunding, political interference, and weak enforcement of command responsibility. Financial dependence on parliamentary allocations undermines IPOA’s autonomy, while command liability principles suffer from institutional resistance and politicization. In contrast, the UK’s ring-fenced funding Police Reform Act 2002 and decentralized accountability mechanisms ensure operational independence and systemic reforms. Conclusions highlight that effective oversight requires both legal safeguards and operational resilience. Kenya’s gaps stem from structural flaws, whereas the UK’s emphasis on organizational learning offers transferable best practices. To address these gaps, the study recommends automating IPOA’s funding to ensure financial autonomy.