Former police chiefs expose rot in force

The rot that has pervaded the police force for decades was laid bare on Thursday by former police bosses during interviews to select a team to oversee policing in Kenya.

Mrs Alice Kagunda, who was the principal deputy to former police commissioner Hussein Ali, revealed how 57 senior officers were forcibly sent home in 2004.

“I don’t know why it was done. The strategic plan defined how an officer could exit and for what reasons. This one (purge) came prematurely,” Mrs Kagunda said.

She blamed retired Maj-Gen Ali, who had just joined the police from the Army barely three weeks earlier.

“Decisions on retirement of officers come from the commissioner. That is why everybody was surprised in the office. He was new and it came from him,” she said.

Former Administration Police commandant retired Major Shedrack Muiu revealed how politicians influenced policing in Kenya by “doing business” with senior officers.

He said: “Politicians introduced them to the business world. It affected the operations of the armed forces and the police. They (officers) used public time to do business.”

Maj Muiu left the military to head the AP between 1978 and 1984.

The former police bosses are seeking appointment to the National Police Service Commission, the body that will recruit, promote, fire and deploy police officers.

The two and 35 others who have already appeared before the interviewing panel, could be among nine successful candidates who would be appointed to sit at the NPSC. (READ: Candidate faults anti-graft agency)

Mrs Kagunda’s former colleagues sent letters to the panel, accusing her of being responsible for the discredited purge.

She was further accused of tribalism, arrogance, intimidation and harbouring hatred for male officers.

She denied the claims.

Mrs Kagunda also denied that she had been promoted irregularly.

It was also disclosed that senior officers interfered with investigations; the traffic department is notorious for bribery; female officers are sidelined in key appointments and that new officers are not recruited properly.