Saitoti allays fears on police vetting

The suitability evaluation being conducted in the police force is purely for determining the competencies and skills of the officers.

“Contrary to the fears expressed by some, this exercise is not intended to victimise any officer,” Internal Security minister George Saitoti said Friday.

The first week of vetting senior police officers ended yesterday. The evaluation, which began on Monday, was done privately.

After the vetting, officers will be promoted, demoted, or re-deployed to other services. Those found unfit for retention would be dismissed.

Police boss Mathew Iteere and AP Commandant Kinuthia Mbugua will not be vetted.

The general evaluation criteria includes professionalism, integrity, track record and psychological fitness.

The vetting is conducted by a team that included members from the Public Service Commission, Police Reform Implementation Committee, Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission and National Security Intelligence Service.

In its 2009 report (the Ransley Report), the National Task Force on Police Reforms revealed that there were serious management problems arising from among others, poor leadership, patronage, outright corruption and low staff morale.

It therefore recommended that all senior officers be reviewed.

The officers were issued with forms to fill last year, with the required details including educational background, general understanding of police work, courses attended and past disciplinary record.

Separately, the government has budgeted for Sh78 billion for the implementation of the police reforms in the next three years.

Internal Security permanent secretary Francis Kimemia said the money would be used in projects such as provision of transport, housing and communication gadgets and for re-training of the officers.

He was speaking during the launch of the Police Reforms Programme Document in Nairobi.