Policeman sues Iteere over his ‘illegal’ transfer

A criminal investigation officer has sued the police commissioner, seeking to overturn his transfer from Coast to North Eastern Province.

The officer, identified only as Sergeant Sulubu, argues in a petition filed at the High Court in Mombasa that his removal was unlawful because it contravened the standing orders of the police force.

Mr Mathew Iteere, the Police Commissioner, is named the first respondent, followed by the Director of CID and the Attorney-General.

Sgt Sulubu was transferred from Voi CID unit to Mandera Police Station to undertake general duties.

Eligible for transfer

But the officer contends that he was no longer eligible for transfer to be a non-commissioned officer.

Also being over 40 years, he claims, such a transfer should be preceded by a medical examination as required by the force’s standing orders.

He further said that the move was malicious because the standing orders state that such transfers should be done between the first and fifth day of any month, which he said, was not the case.

However, judge Maureen Odero ruled that the petition was not urgent and set it for hearing on February 10.