NPSC to appeal court decision to annul police hiring
National Police Service Commission Chairman Johnstone Kavuludi. The National Police Service is headed for another round of reforms that will radically change the command structure in the counties. FILE PHOTO |
What you need to know:
- NPSC chair Johnstone Kavuludi said on Friday the commission’s lawyers had filed a notice of their intention to appeal.
- He was speaking on Friday at the commission’s headquarters in Nairobi where he announced the appointment of 172 of the 198 officers who had been vetted by the commission.
- He said those who were not appointed had been removed from the force for various reasons.
The National Police Service Commission has said it would appeal the High Court decision to annul the recruitment of 10,000 police officers in July.
NPSC chairman Johnstone Kavuludi said on Friday the commission’s lawyers had filed a notice of their intention to appeal.
The commission, on July 14, planned to recruit about 10,000 police officers.
About 8,749 individuals were selected to join police training colleges in August, but their reporting was delayed as Independent Police Oversight Authority (Ipoa) chairman Macharia Njeru filed a case at the High Court asking for for the hiring to be nullified.
Consequently, in a precedent-setting ruling, High Court judge Isaac Lenaola quashed the appointments, saying the hiring was tainted by corruption, irregularities and blatant violation of the Constitution.
Mr Kavuludi said: "We have to appeal the decision of the High Court. Ipoa does not have an oversight function on our commission. They are mandated to investigate upon the public complaints on the actions of police officer’s misconducts and not this commission.”
He was speaking on Friday at the commission’s headquarters in Nairobi where he announced the appointment of 172 of the 198 officers who had been vetted by the commission.
He said those who were not appointed had been removed from in the force for various reasons.
“Seven officers have been appointed to the rank of senior assistant inspector-general, 63 to assistant inspector-general and 102 to commissioner of police.
He said the names of the appointees would be made public once Police Inspector-General David Kimaiyo meets and briefs them.
He clarified that the new ranks reflect a leaner structure that will improve effectiveness and efficiency in the service.
The positions of deputy commissioner of police, senior deputy commissioner of police I and II and assistant commissioner of police have been abolished and replaced with the new positions.
25 SUSPECTS ARRESTED
Speaking at the same event, Mr Kimaiyo said about 25 people had been arrested so far over the Kapedo attacks in which 19 police officers and three civilians were killed. The bandits also made off with the officer’s guns and several bullet magazines.
“The operation will move to neighbouring districts in the hunt for attackers. The Kenya Police will ensure that all those responsible are arrested.”
Commenting on compensation for the families of the killed police officers, he said: “Each of our officers has … life insurance and we are working with the insurance companies to know how much will be given out.
"There were allegations that about Sh10 million would be given to each family. This is unfounded and we will know once the companies finalise (the processing of claims). In addition, we have police welfare, not taxpayers’ money, which we will send to the affected families.”
He added: “These killings have personally affected me. I saw the bodies of my officers and the abuse on their bodies. I will not relent until we get the bandits.”
