Officials seconded to National Police Service Commission may lose positions

Officials seconded to the National Police Service Commission (NPSC) from ministries may lose their positions if they fail interviews that have also attracted professionals from private companies.

The NPSC, which is in charge of hiring, promoting and disciplining police officers, has begun the search for a chief executive officer and 12 senior managers, positions held by ministry officials.

Most have served for almost five years and NPSC is keen to conduct interviews for permanent placements.

The commission's chairman Johnston Kavuludi said the State officials were free to apply for the positions.

“It is not that they have failed. We would now like to have those positions held by permanent employees. Every applicant will be treated equally,” said Mr Kavuludi.

Besides the CEO’s position held by Mr Ojango Omumu, other 15 senior positions are available, including seven directors in charge of human resources, communication, planning, support services and advocacy and outreach.

Others are managers, finance officer and supply chain management officer.

“If professionals from private organisations are better than those we have, then they are welcome. We want the senior officials to be employed on permanent terms for they are the prime movers of the NPSC,” he added.

The police commission also wants to be safe should ministries demand their employees back.

It wants the managers to have institutional memory because the commissioners are expected to leave office next year when their terms expire.

Given the lucrative terms of employment offered by the commission, government officials would be keen to remain at NPSC.

The commission offers better pension and medical insurance schemes compared to government ministries.

Interested candidates are required to submit applications by January 30.

They would have to be cleared by government agencies, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, Kenya Revenue Authority, Higher Education Loans Board and the Credit Reference Bureau.

“In addition, the National Intelligence Service may be requested to provide a report on the shortlisted applicants,” said the NPSC.