Johnston Kavuludi opposes police transfers
What you need to know:
- The changes announced by David Kimaiyo affected some of the critical departments in the service
- Mr Kavuludi said: “The National Police Service Act and the recent ruling by Mr Justice George Odunga are very clear on who should do what.”
A new turf war broke out on Thursday between police boss David Kimaiyo and the police commission following the transfer of 55 senior officers.
Police Service Commission chairman Johnston Kavuludi maintained that they did not approve the transfer of the officers, including General Service Unit commandant and Traffic commandant.
He spoke a few hours after Mr Kimaiyo announced the transfers.
Mr Kimaiyo appointed GSU boss William Saiya, a senior deputy commissioner of police 1 (S/DCP 1), as the director of the Kenya National Focal Point on Small Arms and Light Weapons (KNFP).
Mr Saiya replaces Mr John Patrick Owino Ochieng, also an S/DCP 1, who has been appointed the National Police Airwing commandant.
Mr Kavuludi said the law requires Mr Kimaiyo to recommend the transfers and ask the commission to consider them.
Mr Kimaiyo, instead, chaired the Joint Service Board where they approved the transfers and announced them on Thursday morning.
The changes affected some of the critical departments in the service. The new GSU boss is Mr Joel Mboya Kitili, a deputy commissioner of police (DCP). He was the Rift Valley regional coordinator.
Three senior officers have been transferred to the police headquarters for further deployment.
Mr Rodgers Mbithi remains the head of the Kenya Police Airwing and would be reporting to Mr Owino.
GSU deputy commandant Boniface Nzioki Maingi, DCP, is the new chief licensing officer, replacing Mr Francis Mwangi Wanjohi, DCP.
Both Mr Wanjohi and his deputy Abdi Hapi have been transferred to Vigilance, awaiting further deployment.
The new traffic commandant is Mr Charlton Murithi Muriuki, DCP. He replaces Mr Samwel Kimaru. Mr Kimaru is yet be deployed.
The deputy director, complaints, Mr James Ikumbi Ngului, is the new deputy director of KNFP.
Four OCPDs in Nairobi have also been transferred. Central’s Patrick Oduma, Embakasi’s Akelo Odhiambo, Lang’ata’s Titus Yoma and Dagoretti’s Mathew Gwiyo have been moved to Matuga in Kwale, Vigilance, Kirinyaga South and Mathira East respectively. They have been replaced by Mr Fredrick Muthama Lai (Central), Mr Appolo Wanyonyi (Embakasi), Mr Elijah Mwangi (Lang’ata) and Mr Rashid Hulbale Mohammed (Dagoretti).
Mr Kavuludi said: “The National Police Service Act and the recent ruling by Mr Justice George Odunga are very clear on who should do what.”
