Police bosses were given roles ‘casually’

At least five senior officers were transferred last year without official communication explaining their roles and responsibilities, the police vetting panel has been told.

Rift Valley regional commander Joel Mboya Kitili yesterday told the Johnston Kavuludi-led panel scrutinising senior officers that he was moved from Vigilance, where he was the Chief Armourer, without official communication of his transfer and new job description.

“What I received was a signal transferring me to the Rift Valley,” he told the panel.

The panel had inquired if the officers had clear job descriptions that helped them to understand the responsibilities and duties required and expected of them.

Former director of Logistics at the police headquarters, Mr Julius Kibaara Kanampiu, told the panel he was given a verbal instruction to report to the Inspector-General of Police.

The director of inspections at the headquarters, Mr Stephen Chelimo, told the panel that since he was appointed, no recommendation from his office had been implemented.

APPOINTMENTS CANCELLED

“We make recommendations after conducting inspections throughout the country, but implementation is lacking,” he said. “It is the responsibility of the Inspector-General to implement those recommendations.”

On Tuesday, the director of the Internal Affairs Unit, Mr Leo Nyongesa, admitted that he had not been officially appointed.

“There is no official communication regarding my appointment as the director,” he said.

On January 30 last year, the NPSC chairman Mr Kavuludi appointed Anthony Munga as the director of communications, and the former police spokesman Charles Owino as the director of the Internal Affairs Unit.

Mr Kimaiyo cancelled the appointments and appointed Ms Zipporah Gatiria Mboroki as the new spokesperson. He also appointed former North Eastern police boss Leo Nyongesa as the director IAU.

Senior Deputy Commissioner of Police II (SDCP-II) Peter Eregae who failed to meet the required threshold to remain serving in the service and thus retired had also told the panel that Mr Kimaiyo only called him but did not issue him with any appointment letter.

Phase two of the vetting entered its second day yesterday that saw Mr Kitili, and four other officers vetted.

The others were Joseph Ashimala (Kenya Police College), Boniface Maingi (GSU), director of Inspections at Vigilance Stephen Chelimo, and the director of AP Service Reforms Fred Mwei.

Today, the panel will interview the director of Planning at Vigilance Silas McOpiyo (Planning), Gideon Kimilu (CID Headquarters), Colonel Rodgers Mbithi (Kenya Police Airwing), and Philip Tuimur (Police Headquarters)

Mr Henry Ashinmalla said that the training duration at the police training colleges should be reduced from 15 to 9 months so that other officers can train at the Provincial Training Centres while serving.

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Four to face panel today

Phase two of the vetting entered its second day yesterday.

Today, the panel will interview the director of Planning at Vigilance, Mr Silas McOpiyo, Mr Gideon Kimilu (CID Headquarters), Colonel Rodgers Mbithi (Kenya Police Airwing), and Mr Philip Tuimur (Police Headquarters).