Parliament halts training of new police recruits
Parliament has ordered the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) to postpone the date that 10,000 new police recruits are scheduled to report for training.
The order follows claims of serious irregularities during the nationwide recruitment process, including allegations of corruption, regional imbalance, nepotism and tribalism.
The National Assembly ordered its Administration and National Security Committee to investigate the allegations before the recruits could be allowed to report for training.
The police recruits were scheduled to report for training on August 5, but Deputy Speaker Joyce Laboso ordered NPSC to put the process on hold.
“I order that the reporting date be postponed until the matter is concluded,” ruled Dr Laboso.
COMMITTEE SUMMONS OLE LENKU
"The committee should move with speed to ensure that the answers are given,” she said at the House proceedings on Wednesday morning.
The decision followed a response to questions asked by Kiminini MP Chris Wamalwa.
Administration and Security Committee Chairman Asman Kamama had told the Assembly that his committee had written to the police commission asking that the reporting date be pushed forward to allow investigations.
MPs, however, demanded that the whole exercise be nullified to pave the way for a fresh one.
Although the commission had indicated it would investigate the claims, Kipipiri MP Samuel Gichigi protested, saying it should not be allowed to investigate itself.
The Administration and Security Committee has summoned Interior and National Coordination Cabinet Secretary Joseph Ole Lenku, the Independent Police Oversight Authority and the National Police Service Commission for questioning.
SEEKING CREDIBLE AUDIT
MPs questioned the procedure applied in the recruitment.
Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu said the NPSC could not conduct a credible audit because it was at the centre of the recruitment debacle.
“The recruitment was done under a lot of secrecy. Why was it not important that MPs be informed about the criteria? Is it within the law for the recruitment to have being extended up to midnight?” he asked.
Mr Kamama said Mr Lenku is expected to appear before the committee to shed light on complaints raised by the public with regard to the recruitment.
“I appreciate that the House will instruct the NPSC to postpone the reporting date until the matter is disposed of by the House. Give instructions that the CS should appear before the committee on Monday,” Mr Kamama said.
Members claimed that in some areas, the recruitment exercise continued until 2am, saying this should not have been the case.
“In future, we will advise that it should be done within two days,” Mr Kamama said.
