Policing in colonial Nairobi: establishing policing norms and developing COIN response to “terror” in the city

Purpose This study examines the creation and development of the police force during the colonial era in Nairobi, Kenya. Using this case, this paper asks: What role did police play in the daily surveillance and control of African movement during the colonial era, and how did that change in response to acts of terrorism during the Mau Mau Uprising? This study expands research on colonial policing, the origins of COIN strategy in urban warfare and the transnational transport of police training and practices. Design/methodology/approach Data for this study were collected from the Kenyan National Archives and the British National Archives, including annual reports from the colonial government, correspondence, military reports and recently declassified materials about the Mau Mau Uprising, known as “The Emergency” in British archival materials. Findings This study finds that the colonial police force was flexible by necessity, establishing a system of passbooks, police posts and surveillance that limited African movement in order to protect European interests. During times of war or incidents of terrorism, the counterinsurgency (COIN) responses were merely amplifications of policing norms that were already established. Originality/value This paper provides empirical evidence showing the history of COIN strategy and its origin in colonial policing techniques. Rather than isolating these strategies as unique to the environment, actors or conflicts, this paper argues that standard operating procedures for colonial policing laid the groundwork for COIN responses that continue today.