Spatial Inequality and Police Professionalism During Political Transitions in Nairobi’s Informal Settlements, Kenya

Abstract

Political transitions frequently intensify tensions between democratic governance, public order management, and police accountability within marginalised urban settlements. Globally and across Africa, electoral transitions have exposed challenges of coercive policing, selective law enforcement and weak civilian accountability in informal settlements characterised by socio-economic inequality and uneven security provision. In Kenya, post-election periods have been associated with heightened police deployment, securitisation, and allegations of excessive use of force within Nairobi’s informal settlements of Kibera, Mathare and Mukuru. Political transitions act as catalysts that intensify existing socio-spatial inequalities by increasing security operations, protest mobilisation, and uneven enforcement practices, thereby shaping police behaviour and professionalism across different localities. This study examined the influence of spatial inequality on police professionalism during political transitions in Nairobi’s informal settlements. Specifically, it examined the extent of adherence to professional policing standards, analysed the influence of spatial inequality on police professionalism, and assessed the role of civilian oversight institutions in monitoring and documenting policing malpractices. The study adopted a mixed-methods descriptive survey design grounded in the pragmatic paradigm and complemented by interpretivism. Data were collected from a sample of 384 respondents through questionnaires, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and documentary review. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. Findings revealed that police professionalism remained moderate, spatially differentiated, and operationally inconsistent. The Police Professionalism Index (PPI), computed from weighted indicators of legality, accountability, political neutrality, proportional use of force, ethical conduct, and police–community engagement, recorded an overall score of 46%, with Mukuru scoring 55%, Kibera 45%, and Mathare 38%. Spatial inequality emerged as the strongest predictor of professionalism outcomes. The study recommends spatially responsive police training, equitable resource allocation, and community-centred policing to address spatial inequalities and enhance professionalism during political transitions.