Officers query deductions in their pay slips

Police officers in the lower ranks have questioned the legality of rent deductions from their salaries.

They said this was unlawful as the government had the obligation to provide housing for them.

In a letter to Police Commissioner Hussein Ali on Thursday, the officers asked him to order an end to the deductions.

They also said the money deducted should be refunded unconditionally.

“We humbly pray to your good office to get to the bottom of this matter and put the issue to rest,” they said.

Senior police officers from the rank of inspector are paid house allowances.

The affected officers’ pay-slips show that the deductions started in mid-2006 and the officers said this was without any warning from their employer, the Office of the President.

More than 10 officers at various police stations in Tana Delta, Tana River and Mombasa districts showed the Nation payslips reflecting monthly deductions of Sh2,000 for rent arrears while Sh1,500 was reflected as house allowance.

Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe said the officers were not supposed to pay rent and promised to investigate.

“I do not know why such deductions occurred as officers from the rank of constable to senior sergeant are housed by the government,” he said.

Meanwhile, HIV and Aids prevalence in the police force has dropped by 50 per cent.

Senior assistant Commissioner of Police Daniel Kalabasi Kabenei, who is in charge of the force’s HIV and Aids programme, said this was a result of vigorous awareness campaigns in the last three years.

“A few years ago, the force was seriously affected by Aids and we were losing an average of four officers per month but today, we lose only two”.

Mr Kabenei said religion hindered progress in some regions.

“In places like North Eastern and Coast provinces, where Islam is dominant, we encountered problems because women are not allowed to come out in the open and be tested,” he said.