§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what training has been provided to the Kenyan military, security and police units in riot control or internal security; and which private companies have been licensed to provide such training in the last three years. [25130]
§ Clare ShortA project to provide training from UK development assistance to the Kenyan Police was approved in 1995. The project has funded the training of trainers and helped to develop the syllabus for a Senior Command Course which is being delivered by Kenyan police trainers in Kenya. The syllabus includes a section on the management of civil disturbances based on the philosophy of minimum force and the rule of law. The first course was evaluated by an independent consultant in September 1997. Course participants were invited to submit recommendations to the Commissioner of Police following the course. A key theme identified by the trainees was the need to change from a police 'force' to a police 'service'. This was reinforced by recommendations for the wider introduction of community policing and a less confrontational approach to the management of civil disturbances.
In 1996, as part of the International Commanders Programme, three Kenyan Police Officers attended the Hounslow training centre for half a day to observe UK training methods in public order management. The objective was for the overseas officers to observe how the police response in this country is governed by the principles of minimum use of force within the context of policing by consent. This visit was complemented by a presentation by Bramshill Police Training College on the UK's approach to conflict resolution by peaceful means.
In 1997, an Assistant Commissioner of Police from Kenya attended the Strategic Command Course at Bramshill. This course focuses on the strategic management and leadership of a police service including a component dealing with the management of public order and civil disasters.
No training in riot control or internal security has been provided under development assistance to the Kenyan military or security units. No new financial commitments for police training in Kenya have been made under the development assistance programme since 1 May 1997.