Boycott work at your own peril, police told

The go-slow by the police is illegal and officers have been warned against shirking their duties.

Officers have also been informed by the government that they will receive the 8.5 per cent salary increment at the end of this month, backdated to October but the next phase of the pay rise will be in July 2013.

The officers rejected the offer and vowed to continue with the go-slow.

On Thursday, an Administration Police constable was arrested for allegedly inciting his colleagues to strike.

Internal Security PS Mutea Iringo said investigations had shown that the suspect, based in Kimilili, was generating and circulating inciting messages through short text messages and on Facebook.

Mr Iringo said at a press conference at the Harambee House,that the officer was using a fictitious name to call on police officers to “let criminals do their work”.

He said detectives were also investigating the origin of other SMSs, Facebook and Twitter messages to establish the identity of those behind them.

International Conventions prohibit all serving security forces from engaging in any form of trade union activities including strikes go-slows or picketing.

Mr Iringo warned that the Penal Code prohibits any person from attempting to seduce any member of the disciplined forces or any police officer from his duty or allegiance.

He said in the constitution, the fundamental rights of persons serving in the Kenya Defence Forces and the police are limited by the National Police Service Act which prohibits demonstrations, go-slow and picketing.

The law stipulates that it is an offence for any police officer to unlawfully strike.

“Police officers are aware of these,” said Iringo.

The National Police Service Commission Johnson Kavuludi appealed for calm saying that though they were new in the office, there wasn’t any vacuum.