Call to lock out Kenyan police from business
Photo/JARED NYATAYA
Mr David Cheruiyot when he appeared before the select panel for the nomination of chairperson and members of the National Police Service Commission, on day-two of the interviews at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre, Nairobi, February 8.
Police officers should be barred from engaging in businesses that would interfere with their work, an applicant said during interviews for the Police Service Commission on Tuesday.
Former magistrate Edna Nyaloti said that provisions of the law that allow police to run private businesses should be reviewed.
“If officers are going to engage in businesses that are in conflict with their key duties, then we will have to rethink on that particular provision,” she said.
At the same time, she attacked the community policing concept, saying that research showed it had given rise to criminal gangs in parts of the country.
The programme launched by President Kibaki in 2005, added Ms Nyaloti, was not being implemented in accordance with the law.
“That’s not the way it is supposed to be. It violates the law and human rights. For instance, the Sungusungu in Kisii.
“When you talk to the people there they will say it has helped reduce crime but its ways are criminal,” she added.
Sungusungu is a vigilante group responsible for macabre killings of presumed witches and criminals in the area.
The former magistrate-turned-human rights defender said if appointed a commissioner to the new body, police officers and the public would have to be enlightened afresh on community policing.
“People released from prisons in Kisii have refused to go home fearing they would be killed. Other people do not understand that it is the right of a suspect to be granted bond.
“People will attack them when they realise they have been released on bond,” added Ms Nyaloti. She was the second to face the panel in Tuesday’s session.
Ms Josephine Gichuhi, a former commissioner with the Public Service Commission, said members of the new body must undergo an induction course to acquaint themselves with police operations.
“You have to be an insider to understand the uniqueness of police operations and discipline,” she said.
Once in place the Commission will be responsible for hiring, promotion and dismissal of police officers in line with the Constitution.
Thirty eight applicants are set to be interviewed. The sessions are open to members of the public to submit any information that may have a bearing on the selection of the candidates.
