Singing Activist Transforms Police Relations in Nairobi Slums.
A music-driven approach helped mend the fractured relationship between police and residents in Nairobi's Dandora slum.
The period from 2017 to 2020 marked intense conflict between law enforcement and communities across Mathare, Dandora, and Kibera settlements. Police launched aggressive surveillance operations, citing rising crime rates. Officers used unmarked vehicles and allegedly false license plates to apprehend suspects. Many arrested individuals later died or vanished.
This crisis sparked the creation of neighborhood advocacy groups. These "social justice centers" emerged to track missing persons, document cases, and help families share their stories with media outlets. The Dandora Community Justice Centre stands as a prime example of these grassroots efforts.
Brian James Omondi, known as Alaman James, leads the center's documentation of missing youth cases. The 33-year-old combines activism with music through his role in the Field Marshall Band, performing songs about human rights, police accountability, and environmental justice.
"The relationship was not just bad between police and the community, but it was also with activists like us," James told the Star newspaper. Police and some residents accused the activists of protecting criminals, he explained.
The center's persistent message focused on legal rights. "If someone faces accusations of any crime, they deserve their day in court to defend themselves," James said. The group opposed both police and mob violence as unlawful actions.
Years of dedication yielded positive results. The center established collaborative partnerships with both law enforcement and residents. "The public and police have come to appreciate our work," James said. "They see the value we bring by supporting police to operate within the law."
James discovered his calling for activism after serving as a student leader in high school. Direct exposure to injustice motivated him to advocate for vulnerable community members.
His work carries risks. James reported receiving threats from police and facing attempted abduction. A local police commander allegedly threatened him, and he remained targeted by "Hessy wa Dandora," identified as killer squads operating as crime prevention units.
Despite these challenges, James maintains family support. His parents offer guidance and cautionary advice as he continues his mission to improve community-police relations through documentation, advocacy, and music.
A music-driven approach helped mend the fractured relationship between police and residents in Nairobi's Dandora slum.
The period from 2017 to 2020 marked intense conflict between law enforcement and communities across Mathare, Dandora, and Kibera settlements. Police launched aggressive surveillance operations, citing rising crime rates. Officers used unmarked vehicles and allegedly false license plates to apprehend suspects. Many arrested individuals later died or vanished.
This crisis sparked the creation of neighborhood advocacy groups. These "social justice centers" emerged to track missing persons, document cases, and help families share their stories with media outlets. The Dandora Community Justice Centre stands as a prime example of these grassroots efforts.
Brian James Omondi, known as Alaman James, leads the center's documentation of missing youth cases. The 33-year-old combines activism with music through his role in the Field Marshall Band, performing songs about human rights, police accountability, and environmental justice.
"The relationship was not just bad between police and the community, but it was also with activists like us," James told the Star newspaper. Police and some residents accused the activists of protecting criminals, he explained.
The center's persistent message focused on legal rights. "If someone faces accusations of any crime, they deserve their day in court to defend themselves," James said. The group opposed both police and mob violence as unlawful actions.
Years of dedication yielded positive results. The center established collaborative partnerships with both law enforcement and residents. "The public and police have come to appreciate our work," James said. "They see the value we bring by supporting police to operate within the law."
James discovered his calling for activism after serving as a student leader in high school. Direct exposure to injustice motivated him to advocate for vulnerable community members.
His work carries risks. James reported receiving threats from police and facing attempted abduction. A local police commander allegedly threatened him, and he remained targeted by "Hessy wa Dandora," identified as killer squads operating as crime prevention units.
Despite these challenges, James maintains family support. His parents offer guidance and cautionary advice as he continues his mission to improve community-police relations through documentation, advocacy, and music.
